12m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:40am
Oscar Piastri feeling confident by McLaren’s progression
The drivers’ parade is over, and we only got interviews from the Mercedes drivers. There appeared to be a technical issue with the broadcast feed.
But that’s OK. We got the drivers’ thoughts after qualifying yesterday.
(Getty)
The fastest non-Mercedes driver yesterday was Australian Oscar Piastri.
He qualified third, after qualifying fifth in the previous two grands prix. (Let’s hope Oscar starts the race today).
Speaking after qualifying yesterday, the Melburnian said his McLaren was not good enough to fight Mercedes for the win in Japan, but he did believe the gap in performance between the two was narrowing.
“A good qualifying session, it was nice to be in the top three and closer to the leading team, so overall we can be pretty happy with this afternoon’s result.
“All weekend, I think we’ve looked reasonably good, and the team has executed every session well, getting things right for the moment across each day, which is pleasing.
“We clearly don’t have the pace or the grip to match Mercedes still, but we’re getting closer and that’s the most important point in our on-track performance.
“There are plenty of positives (Saturday), and it was good to be able to qualify ahead of Ferrari too. We’ll now continue to work hard to make important further gains as a team overnight, working on power management and exploiting maximum performance in preparation for the race (on Sunday).”
22m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:30am
Can Ferrari battle Mercedes for the win today?
Do we reckon Michael, Charles will take the lead into the first corner again this week, and if he does hold off the Mercs
– _Mike
G’day Mike.
Thanks for joining me on the live blog this afternoon.
The Ferrari has been a rocket off the starting line in 2026; much better than its rivals.
Charles Leclerc lead into turn one in Australia, and Lewis Hamilton did the same thing in China. Both times, they started on the second row, behind the Mercedes duo.
But Mercedes proved to be too strong in both grands prix and won handsomely.
If you read the comments from Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who again start on the front row this afternoon, they both mentioned how vital the start will be today.
Suzuka is one of F1’s great tracks. However, overtaking in recent years has not been the easiest.
So, if Ferrari can get a car into the lead off the line, most likely Charles Leclerc from fourth, it will be interesting to see if the Mercedes is fast enough to make an easy overtake.
If Mercedes is leading after lap one, we might be watching to see who finishes third today.
30m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:22am
George Russell trying to overcome qualifying blues
George Russell will start second in today’s grand prix.
The championship leader was well behind his teammate on Saturday.
The championship leader says Mercedes know what issues his car had yesterday, and he believes the few adjustments they could make should help in the race today.
When asked what it will take to win this afternoon, Russell said today could be all down to the start.
“I think the race start is going to be crucial. as it has been, always.
“It is a bit of a challenging track to overtake. With these new (regulations) it will be interesting. I don’t think it will be as dicey has we saw in the first two races. However, with Charles (Leclerc) in P4, they’re pretty fast off the line. I hope to try and get into the lead, but we know Ferrari are quick.”
37m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:15am
Pole sitter Kimi Antonelli speaking on the drivers’ parade
Italian teen Kimi Antonelli is on pole position, just like a fortnight ago in China.
Antonelli converted his maiden pole into victory, and if he does it again, he would take the lead of the drivers’ championship after three rounds.
He is on the drivers’ parade and was asked how he slept last night.
“I had a good sleep. Obviously, it is still a bit harder to fall asleep when you know you are starting on pole.”
Antonelli lines up next to teammate and championship leader George Russell. He also has Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc behind him.
For the Italian, his plan is to keep this afternoon as simple as he possibly can.
“Tried to get a good start and try to lead into turn one. It’s not that easy to overtake at a track like this, so try to get to turn one in P1 … and try to set the pace.
“The car is very quick, very strong, in qualifying and in the race.”
42m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:10am
Oscar Piastri qualifies third, Kimi Antonelli on pole
Missed the action from qualifying yesterday.
Mercedes continued its domination by locking out the front row for a third successive grand prix.
Kimi Antonelli was a class above the rest to qualify on pole, with teammate and championship leader George Russell second.
Oscar Piastri was the best of the rest, qualifying third.
Max Verstappen failed to get out of Q2, adding to the four-time world champion’s frustrations in the early stages of this season.
Tap the link below to catch up on what happened during Saturday’s qualifying session at Suzuka.
47m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:05am
When does the F1 Japanese Grand Prix begin?
This is the start time for the Japanese Grand Prix in your state or territory.
4pm AEDT: NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania3:30pm ACDT: South Australia3pm AEST: Queensland2:30pm ACST: Northern Territory1pm AWST: Western Australia52m agoSun 29 Mar 2026 at 3:00am
Welcome to the ABC Sport F1 live blog
Hello Australia.
Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 championship season.
The third round of the championship concludes today with the Japanese Grand Prix.
Mercedes has been the dominant team so far, with George Russell (Australia) and Kimi Antonelli (China) winning the opening two grands prix of the season.
Ferrari has kept them honest, at least in the first half of these races, while poor Oscar Piastri hasn’t even started a grand prix.
ABC Sport will be bringing you all the action from the famous Suzuka International Racing Course from pre-race build-up to post-race reactions.
You can join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on all things F1 in the comment section.
