F1 Japanese Grand Prix quick hits: Oliver Bearman crash, Kimi Antonelli sets more records
Oliver Bearman limped away from a massive crash, which may prompt F1 bosses to consider the issue of closing speeds.
Meanwhile, Ferrari continues to thrill the audience and Kimi Antonelli sets new records.
Here are the quick hits from the F1 Japanese Grand Prix.
1. Bearman limps away from a big crash
The issue of closing speeds in Formula 1 may become a hot topic after British driver Oliver Bearman limped from a massive crash in Japan.
Bearman's impact with the barrier was reportedly measured at 50G, after the Haas driver needed to take evasive action to avoid hitting the back of Alpine's Franco Colapinto.
As the pair approached turn 13, the start of Spoon Curve at Suzuka, Colapinto's Alpine was going considerably slower than the Haas driven by Bearman.
The closing speed caught Bearman off guard, and when Colapinto moved off the racing line and into the middle of the track, Bearman had to evade.
Bearman's Haas got onto the grass, then spun out of control and into the barrier.
The Briton limped away from his wrecked car and fortunately did not sustain any serious injury.
Haas team principal Aayo Komatsu told the Sky Sports broadcast that the speed differential between the two cars surprised Bearman.
"He just had a huge closing speed against Colapinto, so he had to take avoiding action, and he went on the grass and crashed, so yeah, scary," Komatsu said.
The difference in speed between the two cars was alarming and is an issue that may need to be addressed.
The energy deployment from the new power units is at times inconsistent and has led to hairy moments on track.
Colapinto was nearly hit by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during practice in Melbourne, when the Argentine's Alpine struggled to get up to speed on the home straight.
In Japan, there was a serious accident and it left a driver limping.
F1 has five weeks before the next race weekend, and may need to have a serious look into how this scenario can be avoided from happening again.
2. Mercedes struggles at the start … again
There have been three grands prix in 2026, and Mercedes has started both cars on the front row in each of those races.
However, a Mercedes car has not been leading at the first corner in any grand prix this season.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton swooped past the Silver Arrows to lead in Australia and China.
In Japan, it was McLaren's Oscar Piastri who was at the head of the field after turn one.
Antonelli fell from first to sixth, while Russell dropped from second to fourth.
Both drivers were able to recover, as the Mercedes is clearly the best car on the grid so far in 2026.
But the race starts are making these wins harder than they otherwise could be.
Piastri, who was second in Japan, proved the McLaren package is good enough to keep the Mercedes at bay.
Once the Mercedes is in clean air, as Antonelli was able to do after a fortunate safety car put him ahead of Piastri, it has been impossible to catch.
But the Japanese Grand Prix appeared to show McLaren and Ferrari narrowing the performance gap to Mercedes, and proving that if you can get in front, Mercedes drivers need to work hard for the overtake.
3. Ferrari teammates again provide thrilling racing
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton just love battling each other on track.
The duo were engaged in a pair of magnificent battles for third place in Australia and China, producing some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing in years.
In Japan, the Ferrari drivers again treated fans to a wonderful battle.
Again battling for third place, Hamilton held the lead into the final chicane on lap 41.
The 20-season veteran was able to defend his position, but Leclerc knew his moment was about to come.
As they crossed the line to start lap 42, Leclerc stalked his teammate down to the first corner, pulled to the outside late, and swooped to take the position.
Hamilton did not give up the fight and nearly took the position back at turn two, not a usual overtaking area.
F1 hoped the new era of cars would produce closer racing, and through three grands prix it has.
But no two drivers have put on a better show than Leclerc and Hamilton — a battle fans hope has 19 more rounds this season.
4. Antonelli continues to set records
In China, Kimi Antonelli became the youngest ever pole sitter in Formula 1.
In Japan, his race victory made him the only driver to ever win two grands prix as a teenager.
The victory also moved Antonelli to the top of the drivers' championship standings. This makes Antonelli the youngest driver to ever lead the world championship.
The teenager, in his second season of F1, has proved through three rounds that he is quick.
Never mind the fortune he had with the safety car; he was the quickest driver in Japan and deserved his victory.
But there is no need to talk about the drivers' championship yet. He may be young, but even Antonelli knows not to think too far into the future.
"It feels pretty good," when asked about being the youngest ever championship leader.
"It is still early to think about the championship, but we are in a good way."
5. Aston Martin has one car finish a race
Aston Martin can finally say they have had a car finish a grand prix.
The beleaguered team, with a Honda power unit that has major reliability issues, were able to get one of their cars to the chequered flag in Japan.
Fernando Alonso finished the Japanese Grand Prix in 18th, one lap behind race winner Kimi Antonelli.
But getting to the finish is an achievement for Aston Martin, which in Australia feared running their car for too long would cause injury to their drivers.
Lance Stroll was unable to finish the race, meaning he is yet to finish a grand prix in 2026.
But Alonso making the chequered flag was a positive step for Aston Martin, and saved Honda the embarrassment of not finishing a race at a track that they own.