F1 Japan GP: Red Bull Updates, Verstappen & Live Updates

Max Verstappen faced a significant setback during the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix weekend, exiting qualifying in the second session at the Suzuka circuit. The four-time world champion failed to advance to Q3, marking a difficult weekend for Red Bull Racing as the team continues to grapple with performance issues surrounding the RB22 chassis. The qualifying session took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, setting the stage for a race that would ultimately be won by Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Verstappen’s elimination came as a result of a tightly contested midfield battle where marginal gains determined the grid order. During the opening segment of qualifying, the Dutchman recorded the ninth-fastest time. He progressed into Q2 and initially set the 10th-quickest lap early in the session. According to reporting from Motorsport.com, Verstappen was 0.024s behind his team-mate Isack Hadjar and 0.049s ahead of Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg at that stage.

Although Verstappen improved his lap time by a tenth on his final run, it was not enough to secure a spot in the top 10. A late effort by Racing Bulls’ rookie Arvid Lindblad earned the driver a six-tenth gain, securing 10th position and displacing Verstappen into the drop zone. This outcome left the Red Bull driver in 11th place on the grid for the race on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The performance gap between the two Red Bull drivers was a notable storyline throughout the session. Isack Hadjar managed to outqualify Verstappen, securing eighth position on the grid. This teammate dynamic added pressure to the reigning champion, who had been hoping for a stronger turnaround after a difficult start to the season. Reports from GPFans indicated that Verstappen had scored only eight points from the opening two race weekends prior to arriving in Japan.

Communication between Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase highlighted the severity of the car’s handling issues during the critical qualifying laps. On the radio, Verstappen stated, I think there is something wrong with the car mate, it’s completely undriveable suddenly in this qualifying. He elaborated on the specific behavior of the vehicle, noting issues with Jumping on high speed in the rear suddenly.

I’m not even frustrated anymore, I’m beyond that

Max Verstappen via Motorsport.com

Following the session, Verstappen addressed the media while heading to the media pen, explaining that the team had struggled to resolve the RB22’s flaws despite ongoing efforts. He noted that the team made changes all weekend, yet some problems in the car remained unfixed. Verstappen commented that the situation was worse again in qualifying compared to FP3, despite a set-up tweak he described as not that big.

The lack of confidence in the machinery prevented Verstappen from attacking corners aggressively. He explained that as soon as he tried to push, the car was just all over the place. He described the handling as really not good and stated it did not give him the confidence to attack any corner. He felt stuck and unable to push more, leaving the team none the wiser regarding immediate fixes as the session concluded.

Mercedes Dominates Qualifying and Race

While Red Bull struggled, Mercedes demonstrated strong pace at Suzuka. Andrea Kimi Antonelli started from pole position for the second time this season. The 19-year-old Italian had previously claimed his maiden pole and first grand prix victory in China. Antonelli converted his pole position into a win at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, according to live coverage summaries from Crash.net.

Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell slot into second place after a tricky session, forming a strong front row for the works Mercedes team. Behind them, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri led the charge from the rest of the field. Piastri was able to fend off the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who started fourth. Lando Norris managed fifth in the sister McLaren, despite the reigning world champion struggling with technical issues all weekend.

Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, qualified sixth on the grid. Hamilton stated that Ferrari was miles and miles away from Mercedes this weekend, facing a much tougher task in matching his podium finish from China. Pierre Gasly put the Alpine seventh on the grid, giving the Enstone team top honours in a tight midfield race. The top 10 was completed by Gabriel Bortoleto in ninth for Audi and Arvid Lindblad in 10th for Racing Bulls.

The race itself saw significant action, including a safety car period triggered by a huge crash involving Bearman. Coverage notes indicated that Piastri took the lead at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, though Antonelli ultimately secured the victory. The race was delayed by 10 minutes due to a support series crash prior to the main event. The 53-lap race concluded on Sunday, March 29, 2026, marking the third round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Verstappen’s 11th place starting position compounded the difficulties Red Bull faced throughout the weekend. The team had hoped for a better result in Suzuka after the points drought in the opening rounds. The RB22’s flaws proved difficult to quench, with the driver expressing disenchantment with the machinery. As the season progresses, the performance disparity between Red Bull and the leading Mercedes team has become a central focus of the championship narrative.

With Liam Lawson also back in the points according to NZ Herald reports, the midfield competition remains intense. However, the primary focus remains on the struggles of the four-time world champion. Verstappen’s comment that he is beyond frustration underscores the severity of the technical challenges Red Bull Racing must address to return to competitive form in the 2026 season.