Japanese GP: Kimi Antonelli Wins Second Consecutive Race As Oscar Piastri Makes Podium

 

Kimi Antonelli reprised his performance from the qualifying session, finishing quickest to win the Japanese Grand Prix, as McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished second for his first podium appearance of the season. 

Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead an F1 Championship title with 72 points after winning his second race back-to-back in Suzuka. He crossed the finish line in +13.722 seconds ahead of Paistri while his teammate, George, finished outside the podium. 

The Italian driver won his first F1 race in Shanghai at the Chinese Grand Prix, making him the youngest driver to lead the pole. However, he was dominant throughout the weekend, polling at the qualifying session to lead the front row. 

Oliver Bearman's incident was the only chaotic moment during the race. The Haas driver drifted over the curbs on Lap 23 and spun across the tracks, crashing into the wall. Lance Stroll retired from the race after doing 30 laps due to an engine problem. It was the Aston Martin driver's third consecutive retirement from a race this season. 

Energy Deployment and Pace

McLaren had the best energy deployment on the grid from the start, giving Oscar Piastri the pace needed to be in provisional pole from Lap 1. Antonelli had a slower start than other drivers in the front row, dropping from pole to trail in P6 on Lap 1 before improving in track position. 

Mercedes duo were effective in deploying energy. worked for Russell, improving from P4 on Lap 1 before overtaking Charles Leclerc to take provisional pole as chase down Piastri. Lelerc later recovered his position ahead of Russell, but finished before McLaren's Piastri and Mercedes' Antonelli. 

Pit stop and Virtual Safety 

Piastri pitted first for hard tyres, then Russell, before Oliver Bearman crashed into the walls and a virtual safety car was deployed. That situation worked to Antonelli's advantage, who was in provisional pole. 

Antonelli led the race to the finish line after the virtual safety car. Leclerc improved from P5, overtaking Russell and Hamilton to move up to a podium position in third. Russell later overtook Hamilton but missed out on the podium. 

Japanese GP Top 10 Drivers 

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

4. George Russell (Mercedes)

5. Lando Norris (McLaren)

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

9. Liam Lawson (RB)

10. Esteban Ocon (Haas)