Kym Illman

TOUGH AFTERNOON A tweak to his set-up yesterday left George Russell with too much understeer in both qualifying and the race today. He looked on course for a podium, running comfortably in P2 before pitting. The timing proved to be unlucky, with the Safety Car deployed shortly after, dropping him to P4 following the restart. It led to a strong battle between Russell and Charles Leclerc, but the Ferrari driver held on to the final podium position. #japanesegp #f1news #f1content

ALL SMILES AT MERCEDES Toto Wolff was in high spirits in the paddock after the race today, following what has been a dream start to the season for the Mercedes team, winning all three races on the calendar so far. #japanesegp #f1news #f1content

FIRST START, FIRST PODIUM Oscar Piastri had yet to start a Grand Prix in 2026, with a crash before the race in Melbourne and car issues in Shanghai putting paid to his chances. Today, both McLaren cars made it to the grid, and it was Piastri who came home in P2 - a huge confidence boost for the team from Woking. #japanesegp #f1news #f1content

PRETTY GOOD That's how Kimi Antonelli described victory in Suzuka today, a result that makes him the youngest ever driver to lead the Formula One World Championship. #JapaneseGP #f1news #f1content

A NEW LEADER He was yet to start a Grand Prix this season, but following the race start Oscar Piastri leads the race. Charles Leclerc sits in second, with Lando Norris in third. Both Mercedes drivers lost places at the start, but I’m sure they’ll be looking to make those back up. #JapaneseGP #f1news #f1content

STARS COLLIDE There are a number of celebrities in the paddock today, with Anya Taylor-Joy bumping into her good friend Lewis Hamilton as they both made their way through the paddock. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

PIERRE-FECT START Pierre Gasly has enjoyed a great start to the season with his Alpine team, scoring points in both grands prix so far this season, and finding himself in P7 for today's Japanese GP. He already has 9 points this season, nearly halfway to his total haul in 2025. Kika arrived in the paddock with him today, who always arrives at the track in amazing style. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

THE LOOK OF LOVE Yes, it was a great song by the UK band ABC. But that's the first thing I thought when I caught Checo arriving with his wife, Carola, this morning on what is a glorious day, temperature around 19 degrees Celsius, no wind, and clear skies ahead of today's race. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

THAT WILL KEEP THEM BEHIND Kimi Antonelli catches a banana in the paddock, no doubt to consume, but many would also make the joke that he will use the item to slow down one of the 21 other drivers behind him at the race start! #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

A GREAT WELCOME Today's pole sitter, Kimi Antonelli, arrived in the paddock at the same time as Lewis Hamilton, with the pair greeting each other as they made their way through the swipe gates this morning. Lewis was wearing a yellow Willy Chavarria jacket, accompanied by purple pants - colours synonymous with Lewis' racing brand. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

ALBON SIGNS Alex Albon arrived in the paddock this morning with his girlfriend, professional golfer Lily He. Fans of Alex will be happy to know that I have a signed print collaboration coming up very shortly with the Williams driver. Details will be available next week on my Instagram page. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

PUSHED TO THE LIMIT A frustrated Charles Leclerc exited the FIA garage after qualifying P4 for tomorrow's Japanese GP. He expressed his displeasure with the performance of his Ferrari in the straights over the radio after qualifying. “Honestly, I can’t understand quali, it’s a f****** joke," he said. "I go faster in corners, throttle earlier, for f***’s sake, I’m losing everything in the straight.” In the media pen, he elaborated on his frustrations, mentioning that the new regulations punish drivers for pushing the limit and that he hopes the FIA finds solutions to the issues drivers are facing soon. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

NOT HAPPY Max Verstappen's Suzuka pole streak is over, being knocked out in Q2 by VCARB rookie Arvid Lindblad. Max let his frustrations be known over the radio, with the 4-time World Champion unhappy with the performance of his "undriveable" RB22. At the moment, he starts P11, behind teammate Isack Hadjar and VCARB'S Lindblad. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

KIMI MAKES IT TWO Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the youngest-ever pole sitter, makes it back-to-back pole positions, finishing ahead of his teammate George Russell in P2. Oscar Piastri puts himself in P3, rounding out a Mercedes-powered top three. #f1 #formula1 #japanesegp

STYLE INTERRUPTED Lewis Hamilton arrived in a stylish outfit today. There was a throng of TV and photographic people ready to capture the moment but alas, his security guard ended up being the feature subject. #f1news #japanesegp #ferrari

BOTTAS GREETS THE MEDIA Valtteri Bottas was in high spirits as he arrived at the track this morning, giving a thumbs-up to the sea of media. #Cadillacf1 #japanesegp #f1news

HAPPY COUPLE Pierre Gasly and his girlfriend, Kika, arrived in unison today, with Kika wearing this outfit by Arakii. #f1news #japanesegp #alpinef1

ON THE MOVE Carlos Sainz made his way through the paddock at speed today, riding his custom scooter adorned with both his own and his team's branding. #WilliamsF1 #JapaneseGP #f1news

HAPPY CHAPPY Oliver Bearman has been pleased with both his performance and that of his Haas car so far this year, scoring points at every opportunity. He’ll be hoping for a strong showing in qualifying later today to help keep that streak alive come Sunday. #JapaneseGP #f1news #f1content

FAMILIAR GROUNDS Sergio Perez and his wife, Carola Martinez, made their way through the paddock a short while ago. The Suzuka Circuit is one Checo knows well, with 12 entries and two podium finishes to his name here. #Cadillacf1 #JapaneseGP #f1news