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Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates with his team after winning the Japanese Grand Prix
Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest-ever championship leader after claiming his second consecutive win at the Japanese Grand Prix.
When the lights went out at the Suzuka Circuit, Piastri made a stunning start to seize the lead into Turn 1 while the Mercedes cars slipped backwards.
As some drivers started to make their pit stops, including leaders Piastri and Russell, a heavy crash for Haas’ Ollie Bearman brought out the Safety Car on Lap 22, allowing Antonelli – who was yet to pit and had provisionally been in the lead – to visit the pits and reemerge in Position one.
From there the youngster executed a smooth restart to hold onto Position one and build a significant gap up ahead, crossing the line with a margin of 13.722s over Piastri
The win moves him up into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship, making him the youngest driver in history to head the standings.
The Italian is followed by Oscar Piastri on second position and Charles Leclerc on third position.
