F1: Chequered Flag Japanese GP Quali Review: Antonelli v Russell & Verstappen’s Struggles
Mar 28, 2026
Alice Powell, British racing driver and W Series winner, brings sharp technical and driving perspective. She dissects Kimi Antonelli’s pole performance and Mercedes’ setup edge. Alice also analyzes George Russell’s setup troubles and Max Verstappen’s surprising Red Bull issues. Short, focused takes on starts, midfield movers and who might upset the sprint.
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Antonelli's Confidence Is Turning Into Momentum
- Kimi Antonelli has turned qualifying form into consistent results with back-to-back poles in China and Suzuka.
- Alice Powell and Harry Benjamin point to growing confidence and Mercedes' trust in Antonelli after strong sessions and clean Q3 laps.
Prioritise Start Practice For Suzuka Success
- Focus on start practice and simulator work because Suzuka is hard to overtake and race starts can decide outcomes.
- Alice Powell recommends team simulations and pitlane practice starts to counter Mercedes' occasional poor launch.
Setup Change Left Russell Racing A Tricky Car
- George Russell showed inconsistent balance through qualifying after a setup change made the car 'snappy' and harder to drive.
- Russell reported the rear felt almost broken, forcing him to adapt driving style rather than fix the root cause before the race.