SPORTSIDE

Kimi Antonelli also wins in Suzuka, with Piastri 2nd and Leclerc 3rd. A race heavily influenced by the Safety Car, which came out after the terrible accident of Oliver Bearman, who was fortunately unharmed. The Safety Car favored Antonelli, who was able to take back the lead of the race, after Piastri had been leading without too many problems up to that point. By doing so, Antonelli also becomes the world championship leader.

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Kimi Antonelli: after China, it is once again time to celebrate the Italian driver, now also the leader of the championship. Another masterful weekend highlighted by the triple of victory, pole position, and fastest lap, sending a clear signal to George Russell.

McLaren and Oscar Piastri: the real news of the third race of the season is that McLaren has regained performance: in qualifying, Piastri 3rd ahead of Leclerc and Norris 5th ahead of Hamilton. Oscar Piastri redeems himself, becoming the GP leader on the first lap of the race, before having to give way to Kimi Antonelli after the Safety Car triggered by Oliver Bearman’s accident. The number 81 finds the podium in 2nd position and leaves Mercedes less relaxed.

Charles Leclerc: an incredible race with two magnificent overtakes in turn 1 on Hamilton and Russell. He finds the podium in third position, but above all, he demonstrates that his Ferrari can contend for the title.

FLOP

George Russel: he was supposed to be the dominator, but he finishes the race, with the Mercedes spaceship, off the podium, in fourth position, losing the lead in the world championship. Ahead of Miami, he absolutely must regain performance, to defend himself now not only from Ferrari but also from McLaren.

Red Bull: this year the car had misled everyone with Hadjar’s third place in qualifying at the first GP of the season. Verstappen out in Q2 and then, in the race, unable to overtake Pierre Gasly for seventh place. The opposite story for Hadjar, who puts himself eighth in qualifying but, in the race, does not have the pace and finishes 12th.

F1 itself: this regulation change is the most hated ever, even more than the one in 2014. On a beautiful track like Suzuka, the overtakes are almost all artificial, due to the recharge of the hybrid part. Even the new rules introduced in qualifying seem to further favor Lift and Coast, with drivers almost forced to slow down.