Antonelli extends lead

Kimi Antonelli goes into Formula 1’s April break leading the championship by nine points after winning the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on March 29. (formula1.com) The 19-year-old Mercedes driver has 72 points after three races, ahead of teammate George Russell on 63, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third on 49. Formula 1’s official standings list Miami on May 1-3 as the next race weekend. (formula1.com) Antonelli has won two of the first three Grands Prix, in China on March 15 and Japan on March 29, while Russell won the season opener in Australia on March 8. Mercedes has taken all three victories so far in 2026. (formula1.com) At Suzuka, Antonelli started from pole, fell to sixth on the opening lap after wheelspin, then regained control when a Safety Car on Lap 22 let him pit and rejoin in front. He finished 13.722 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, with Leclerc third and Russell fourth. (formula1.com) That result made Antonelli the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 standings, according to Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the series’ governing body. He had already become the youngest Grand Prix winner a race earlier in China. (formula1.com) (fia.com) Antonelli also has two pole positions, both in the last two rounds. In Japan, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile said he beat Russell to pole by 0.298 seconds with a 1:28.778 lap. (fia.com) Mercedes said the gap before Miami gives teams time to work, and Antonelli said he plans to use it on starts after losing ground off the line in Japan. “Luckily I’ve got three weeks,” he said after the race. (mercedesamgf1.com) (formula1.com) For now, the break belongs to Antonelli: two wins, two poles, one podium in Australia, and the points lead heading to Miami. He said after Suzuka that it is “still early days” in the title fight. (formula1.com)