Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix to become the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula One world championship. The 19-year-old Italian capitalised on a safety car triggered by a heavy crash involving British driver Oliver Bearman, moving from sixth at the start to victory. He now leads the championship by nine points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
The race was overshadowed by Bearman's accident at Spoon corner. The Haas driver was travelling at 190mph when he came up behind Franco Colapinto's slower Alpine, with a closing speed of 31mph. To avoid a collision, Bearman swerved onto the grass, where he lost control and hit the barriers at 50G. He emerged with bruising to his right knee but no fractures.
Bearman blamed himself for misjudging the closing speed, but his team principal Ayao Komatsu said neither driver was at fault. The incident reignited concerns about the new regulations, which drivers and team principals had warned could lead to such scenarios. The FIA announced meetings to review the rules before the next race in Miami.
Antonelli's win came after Oscar Piastri led the early stages. When Bearman's crash brought out the safety car, Antonelli gained a free pit stop, while those ahead had already pitted under green. He then held off Piastri to take the flag, with Charles Leclerc third. Russell, who pitted just before the accident, finished fourth and expressed frustration at his recent luck.
