Antonelli takes the championship lead with victory in the Japanese Grand Prix

“It’s a bit too early to think about the World Cup. But we’re on the right track,” said Antonelli quite calmly. “I’m absolutely happy to have won on such a special track. It’s a unique experience.” Piastri didn’t really mourn the victory, but rather was happy about his first podium finish this year and his first points. “As second, I can’t be disappointed at the moment, a big thank you to the team.” Leclerc spoke on ServusTV about a good race: “It was fun.”

In the World Championship, after three of 22 World Championship races and one of six sprints, Antonelli turned a four-point deficit into a nine-point lead over teammate George Russell, who was only fourth, and now has 72 points. The Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton trail Russell by 14 and 22 points respectively. In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 45 points, with McLaren in third place. After a break caused by the Iran war, the World Cup will not continue until the first weekend in May in Miami.

Bearman accident as a key scene

The key scene of the race was an accident involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman on the 22nd lap. The following five-lap safety car phase was used by former world champions Hamilton and Max Verstappen as well as Antonelli to change tires. Immediately before the crash, the 19-year-old was in the lead for the first time after the start after Russell drove into the pits to change tires – a lap too early, as it turned out. But no one could have predicted Bearman’s accident and the neutral phase that followed.

When the race was reopened on the 27th lap, Antonelli set the pace at the front and did not relinquish the lead until the 53rd and final lap. Russell was quickly relegated to fourth place by Hamilton after the restart, even fell back to fifth position and ultimately missed the podium in fourth place. Piastri, on the other hand, scored big points on his first finish in a World Championship race this year. Teammate and world champion Lando Norris came fifth behind Russell and ahead of Hamilton.

Piastri had the best start from third place on the grid, which was postponed by ten minutes due to an accident in a supporting race, and like Leclerc, passed the two Mercedes almost effortlessly. Team boss Toto Wolff’s racing team once again showed that the start is the biggest weakness. Antonelli was even rewound from the very front to sixth place within a few meters. Russell was fourth behind Piastri, Leclerc and Norris, Hamilton fifth. Max Verstappen, who started from eleventh place, stayed behind the top six the entire race and ultimately finished eighth.

McLaren and Ferrari are closer to Mercedes

What had been announced in the second Friday practice session, which was dominated by the McLaren, was confirmed in the third World Championship round in the year of the rule revolution. While the Mercedes were clearly superior in Australia and China, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari were now at a much more similar level. This is also because in Suzuka the new cars were overtaken more and more often than before on this circuit. Piastri immediately countered Russell when he took the lead for the first time on lap eight. Only Antonelli was too fast for the Australian.

The winner would like to use the five-week break in Formula 1 for starting exercises due to the cancellation of the Grand Prixes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. “I had a terrible start. I now have a few weeks to practice clutch behavior.” He is also aware that the safety car phase played into his hands. “We were extremely lucky. I don’t know what would have happened without the safety car.” Piastri had a similar view: “It would be interesting to see what would have happened.” Leclerc was one of the victims, but with a fight he saved himself on the podium.