Kimi Antonelli’s “tremendous" Japanese GP recovery drive applauded as win makes F1 history

Kimi Antonelli reached a new milestone at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest championship leader in Formula 1's history. F1 TV pundit Alex Brundle commended the Italian driver's "tremendous performance" during the race at the Suzuka circuit. 

Antonelli arrived in Japan on the back of his maiden F1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he became the second-youngest driver to win a grand prix. 

He went on to secure pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, but after suffering wheelspin at the start of the race moved him to sixth, he had a challenge on his hands to recover. He began to climb his way back to the front of the grid by overtaking Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and was then able to capitalise on the safety car, which was deployed after Oliver Bearman's crash on lap 22.

Taking the lead after a pitstop under the safety car, he maintained his position until the chequered flag.

"It was a great race to watch, from start to finish," Brundle told F1 TV.

"A lot of battling all the way to the flag. Tremendous performance from Kimi Antonelli. Although he benefited from the safety car, he still demonstrated race-winning pace throughout.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

"It's so clear, though, that Mercedes needs clear air. The speed it showed in clear air was absolutely monumental, but it's so tough for them to get through the traffic, and I think we saw that today."

Discussing Antonelli's milestone as the youngest championship leader, Brundle added: "They get younger and younger. Mercedes have backed him for a number of years. We know how much support he has from Toto Wolff and that Mercedes team.

"They've really nurtured him, and they'll be massively satisfied to take him through to this moment. But it looked every bit the assured performance. Like I say, he took the benefit of the safety car, but still managed to deliver the pace to the flag."