F1 2026 Japan GP LIVE: Qualifying schedule, stream, and start time in Suzuka – UK Times

Liam Lawson is the first car out on track with a big queue at the end of the pit-lane.

We’re expecting Cadillac and Aston Martin to get knocked out.

A reminder: 18 minutes for this first session where we’ll lose the slowest six cars.

So what we thinking – Russell or Antonelli?

Mercedes are the hot favourites for pole in Suzuka, but can McLaren and Ferrari get involved in the fight?

And what about Red Bull – can they show some improvement?

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:29.362

2. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.254

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.867

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +1.002

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +1.021

6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.238

7. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.296

8. Max verstappen (Red Bull) +1.548

9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.638

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.720

Lewis Hamilton has sounded a warning over Ferrari’s chances at the Japanese Grand Prix by sharing his dissatisfaction with his car.

After a promising start to the 2026 F1 campaign, Hamilton vented his frustration during practice at Suzuka, highlighting the SF-26’s potential.

Oscar Piastri, yet to complete a lap in a grand prix after a crash in Melbourne and a power unit issue preventing him and McLaren teammate Lando Norris from starting the race in China, was fastest after FP2, with a +0.847 edge on Hamilton.

6. Racing Bulls – 12 points

11. Aston Martin – 0 points

Adrian Newey is “not doing well” given Aston Martin’s current plight, revealed his former close confidante Helmut Marko.

Newey joined Aston a year ago after 20 years and 13 world championships at Red Bull, where he worked closely with Red Bull’s former head of driver development, Marko.

“Someone said that the Max discussions will eventually come back on the table again. But no, there are not any Max discussions,” he stated.

Wolff expressed unwavering confidence in his current pairing. “I could not be happier with the two drivers that we have. The positioning of the two, with the age gap and how it aligns well with our strategy, means there are not any discussions.”

Russell’s gap is four points:

1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 51 points

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 47 points

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 34 points

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 33 points

5. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 17 points

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 9 points

8. Max Verstappen Red Bull) – 8 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 8 points

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 4 points

11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 4 points

12. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 3 points

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 2 points

14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2 points

15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1 point

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 0 points

17. Alex Albon (Williams) – 0 points

18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points

19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points

21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points

To say it is not the Suzuka homecoming Honda would have envisaged would be one V6 engine-sized understatement. Teaming up with Aston Martin as its new power unit provider this season, the Japanese automotive giant has endured a horrid, reputation-damaging start to the 2026 Formula One campaign.

And the blame game has already started.

“Lando has had a pretty disrupted day but Oscar’s looked pretty on it from the first lap out of the box this morning so we will find out come qualifying,” said Russell.

“We have got some more to give and things weren’t quite optimised on my side, especially with the energy management, so hopefully a little bit more to come tomorrow [Saturday].”