F1 Qualifying Results: Full Starting Grid for the Japanese GP

Saturday’s qualifying session determined the starting grid for the Japanese Grand Prix, with drivers pushing their cars to the limit on one of Formula 1’s most technical circuits.

Q1 and Q2 Results - Drivers Knocked Out

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap in Q1 with a time of 1:29.915, finishing ahead of Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the top five in the session.

Here are the six eliminated at the end of Q1, and they will start toward the back of the grid for Sunday’s race:

• Alexander Albon (Williams)
• Oliver Bearman (Haas)
• Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
• Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen narrowly advanced to Q2 after finishing ninth in the session. However, got eliminated in Q2.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli topped the Q2 session with a lap of 1:29.048, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed the top five as several midfield teams battled closely for a place in the final shootout.

Knocked Out in Q2:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• Esteban Ocon (Haas)
• Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
• Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
• Carlos Sainz (Williams)

Full Starting Grid - 2026 Japanese Grand Prix

The final segment of qualifying decided the pole-sitter for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli delivering another standout performance at Suzuka.

Antonelli secured pole position with a lap time of 1:28.778, finishing nearly three tenths of a second ahead of teammate George Russell to lock out the front row for Mercedes.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri qualified third, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured fourth on the grid. McLaren’s Lando Norris completed the top five ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly qualified seventh, followed by Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Arvid Lindblad, who rounded out the top ten.

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Lando Norris (McLaren)
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
11. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
12. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
17. Alexander Albon (Williams)
18. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
19. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

With the starting grid now set at Suzuka, teams will turn their focus to Sunday’s race as drivers prepare for one of the most demanding challenges on the Formula 1 calendar.