Sports 25 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mercedes Eyes Hat-Trick at Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix
Mercedes leads Formula One into the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka aiming for a third straight one-two finish, with George Russell holding a slim points lead over teammate Kimi Antonelli after their respective wins in Australia/China sprint and the Chinese Grand Prix. Team principal Toto Wolff remains cautious despite the strong start. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/motor-sport/mercedes-can-make-it-three-out-of-three-in-suzuka-5403346
Mercedes enters Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka chasing a season-opening hat-trick of one-two victories. George Russell, victor in the Australia opener and China sprint, tops the standings by four points over Kimi Antonelli, who claimed his first win in China.
The Silver Arrows last achieved three straight wins to start a season in 2020 and one-twos in 2019. They’ve dominated early 2026, securing the front row in every qualifying session so far.
Toto Wolff urges caution: “We have made a positive start, but it is only that. The moment you think you’ve got this sport figured out, you are usually proven wrong.”
Suzuka’s 5.8-km figure-of-eight track, famed as a drivers’ circuit, hosts its 40th Japanese round. Neither Russell nor Antonelli has won here before.
Ferrari, runners-up in the first two races and last Suzuka winners in 2004, eyes a challenge via Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time champion, a four-time Suzuka victor, grabbed third in China.
Aston Martin, powered by Honda, struggles after DNFs for Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Honda seeks redemption, having fueled Max Verstappen’s 2022-2025 streak here with Red Bull.
Verstappen, now with Ford-backed Red Bull power, retired in China and anticipates his favorite high-speed layout.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri missed China starts; Piastri aims for a full race after limited runs.
Haas, fourth in constructors with Oliver Bearman fifth in drivers, runs a Godzilla livery and boasts Japanese ties via Toyota sponsorship and principal Ayao Komatsu.
This precedes a break until Miami on May 3, with Bahrain and Saudi races scrapped due to Middle East conflict.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)