RACE START: Watch as Piastri seizes lead in Japan while Mercedes pair lose out

Oscar Piastri executed an outstanding start at the Japanese Grand Prix to surge through to first place, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc joining him in passing both Mercedes cars to send them tumbling down the order.

Following a short delay due to barrier repairs after a crash in a support category, polesitter Kimi Antonelli came under pressure from Piastri, who made the most of his first race start of 2026 to move from P3 on the grid to lead by the first corner. Leclerc also passed him to take second place, demoting the Italian even further.

Lando Norris similarly enjoyed a strong start as he overtook a struggling George Russell to make it two papaya cars in the top three, subsequently relegating Antonelli down to P6 as Lewis Hamilton gained a position too.

Hit go on the video player above to watch the race start from the Japanese Grand Prix.