Antonelli on pole again as Verstappen's struggles continue
Kimi Antonelli will once again lead the pack away for the Grand Prix, leading the 4th consecutive Mercedes front row lock out. Whilst Max Verstappen's difficult start to the season continues
Antonelli solidifies his Championship challenge with second Pole Position
Despite just 1 season of experience in Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli is making it clear he's ready to compete for a World Championship as he took pole position ahead of his more experienced teammate George Russell for the second race weekend in a row. Giving Antonelli a 2-1 lead over Russell in Grand Prix Qualifying. If Antonelli goes on to win the Grand Prix, he will take the lead of the Drivers Championship, which would make him the youngest ever driver to lead the Championship at just 19, taking the record from Lewis Hamilton, who was 22 years old.
Piastri the closest to the Mercedes
As the Aussie prepares for the third race of the season, where has yet to start a Grand Prix, it's 3rd for last years Championship contender. Continuing a strong weekend so far for Piastri who was fastest in Free Practise 2, and only a tenth slower than Russell. The McLaren looking far better compared to in China a few weeks ago. But with Ferrari's incredible launches and Charles Leclerc behind, will Piastri be able to hold onto third for very long.
Max Verstappen's struggles continue
It's not been an ideal start to the season for Verstappen, but having won the last 4 Japanese Grand Prix, there was hope this weekend could be different for the Dutch lion. However he failed to make it into Q3, qualifying 11thm being knocked out by Arvid Lindblad in the Red Bull sister team Racing Bulls. And if the Red Bull is slow of the line as it was in China, it could be a difficult race for Verstappen as well. As his teammate Isack Hadjar qualified 8th, it means Verstappen is losing 2-1 in the head to head in Grand Prix qualifying. Verstappen has been openly critical of the 2026 regulations, which has sparked rumours the 4 time World Champion could leave the sport in the next few years. And after Qualifying he said he has 'a lot of stuff for me personally to figure out' in regard to his life. Which may be hinting to him considering leaving Formula 1.
Concerns over 'super clipping'
One of the main criticisms of the 2026 regulations has been the addition of 'super clipping', where the car harvests electrical energy whilst drivers are at full throttle down straights, causing a decrease in top speed. On the team radio Charles Leclerc vocalised his disliking of qualifying so far this season saying, 'I honestly cannot stand these rules in qualifying, it's a f***ig joke! I go faster in corners, I go on the throttle earlier, for f****'s sake, I lose everything on the straights.' It comes after on March 26th, the FIA released a statement saying that following talks with all the teams and engine suppliers, the maximum permitted energy recharge in qualifying would be reduced from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ, which would hopefully put less emphasis on the electrical elements, and more on the drivers driving. However, it hasn't been enough so far this weekend with driver's still unhappy.
Qualifying Results
1. KIMI ANTONELLI
2. GEORGE RUSSELL
3. OSCAR PIASTRI
4. CHARLES LECLERC
5. LANDO NORRIS
6. LEWIS HAMILTON
7. PIERRE GASLY
8. ISACK HADJAR
9. GABRIEL BORTOLETO
10. ARVID LINDBLAD
11. MAX VERSTAPPEN
12. ESTEBAN OCON
13. NICO HULKENBERG
14. LIAM LAWSON
15. FRANCO COLAPINTO
16. CARLOS SAINZ
17. ALEX ALBON
18. OLLIE BEARMAN
19. SERGIO PEREZ
20. VALTTERI BOTTAS
21. FERNANDO ALONSO
22. LANCE STROLL
1:28.778
1:29.076
1:29.132
1:29.405
1:29.409
1:29.567
1:29.691
1:29.978
1:30.274
1:30.319
1:30.262
1:30.309
1:30.387
1:30.495
1:30.627
1:31.033
1:31.088
1:31.090
1:32.206
1:32.330
1:32.646
1:32.920