F1 – Antonelli Dominates Final Practice for Japanese Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli signaled his intent for the weekend by posting the quickest time during the F1 2026 – Japanese GP – Practice 3 session. The Mercedes prodigy delivered a blistering performance at Suzuka to finish ahead of his teammate George Russell. Ferrari and McLaren struggled to match the ultimate pace shown by the Silver Arrows. Antonelli eventually stopped the clock at 1:29.362 to secure the top spot on the leaderboard.

Mercedes Command the Timing Screens

The session began with Ferrari showing early promise before the Mercedes duo took control on the Soft compound tires. Antonelli initially set a benchmark of 1:30.418 before improving significantly as the track gripped up. Russell provided the only serious challenge to his teammate by briefly moving ahead during the qualifying simulations. Antonelli responded with a final flyer that left him 0.254s clear of the field. His lap represented a factory benchmark for the current technical regulations at this circuit.

Technical Hurdles for McLaren and Red Bull

Lando Norris faced a difficult start to the day following a replacement of his electric motor. This follows a hydraulic failure during Friday running which limited his track time significantly. Max Verstappen also appeared to struggle with the balance of his Red Bull Ford throughout the hour. The world champion reported consistent issues with both understeer and oversteer during his laps. Troublesome downshifts further hampered his ability to challenge the leading times during the final runs.

Analysis of Power and Reliability

The 2026 power units are proving to be a significant factor in the early season hierarchy. Norris managed to recover to sixth place despite the electrical Gremlins that threatened his session. The combined output of the internal combustion engine and hybrid system provides roughly 1000 hp/1014 PS and 600 lb-ft/813 Nm of torque. These estimated figures highlight the immense power required to navigate the high-speed sections of the Japanese track. Reliability remains a primary concern for the technical departments.

Final Classification and Qualifying Outlook

Charles Leclerc ended the morning as the best of the rest in third position for Ferrari. He finished over eight tenths behind the lead Mercedes while teammate Lewis Hamilton took fifth. Nico Hulkenberg delivered a surprise performance to put his Audi in seventh place. The field now prepares for a critical qualifying session where track position is vital. Mercedes looks like the clear favorite to take pole position based on this morning’s dominant form.

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Source: FIA