Winners and losers from F1 2026 Japanese GP qualifying
The Race • • sports
Key Points:
- Aston Martin struggled significantly at their home race in Japan, qualifying last and second-last due to a slow car and persistent vibration issues, leaving drivers Alonso and Stroll facing a tough race ahead.
- Max Verstappen was eliminated in Q2, marking a rare intra-team qualifying defeat and showing visible frustration, highlighting ongoing challenges for Red Bull at Suzuka.
- Rookie Arvid Lindblad and teammate Isack Hadjar impressed by outqualifying established drivers like Verstappen, showcasing their potential and validating Red Bull's driver decisions.
- Ferrari underperformed relative to expectations, with both drivers losing time due to strategy and mistakes, allowing McLaren's Oscar Piastri to secure an impressive third place in qualifying.
- Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli took pole position with a consistent performance, while teammates like Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon faced setbacks, underscoring mixed fortunes within the midfield teams.
