Formula One 2026: Japanese Grand Prix race updates – live

️ Live updates from the race at Suzuka | Email Joey
️ Lights go out at 2pm local/6am GMT/4pm AEDT

Preseason expectations that the Mercedes would be the class of the field in 2026 and been pretty soundly validated across the opening two rounds, with Russell leading the championship standings from Antonelli by four points thanks to his sprint victory in China.

And Russell he told Giles Richards this week, the lumps he took when he first arrived in F1, finishing up near the back in a troublesome Williams, have helped turn him into the title favourite he is today.