Antonelli leads 1-2 Mercedes qualifying for Japanese Grand Prix

Formula 1 teen sensation Kimi ⁠Antonelli of Italy grabbed his second consecutive pole position when he ​was fastest in ​qualifying in advance of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan.
The 19-year-old became the youngest driver ever to earn an F1 pole position last week and went on to win the first F1 race of ⁠his career when he came out on top at the ⁠Chinese Grand Prix last Sunday at Shanghai, China.
Antonelli's latest pole, at the 3.6-mile Suzuka Circuit, came after a top lap of 1-minute, 28.778 ‌seconds and was just ahead ​of Mercedes teammate ⁠George Russell of Great Britain. Australia's Oscar Piastri ​of McLaren-Mercedes was third.
'It was a ‌good session, I'm happy with it,' Antonelli said. 'I think I was able to ​improve lap by lap. That first Q3 lap was good. Second lap was looking strong but then at Turn 11, I locked up and lost quite a bit of time so it ‌was a shame.
'I was a bit annoyed with that but (I ​got) pole position. I felt good in the car, felt good ​with ‌the ⁠track, and now focusing on (Sunday's race).'
It is now the three pole positions in three races for Mercedes after ​Russell captured the pole at the season-opening event ⁠at Australia. ​Russell won at Australia and leads the drivers' standings after two races with 51 points, while Antonelli (47) is a close second.
'It's just trying to keep this momentum and keep on ​trying to improve and squeeze a bit of performance ​every time without overdoing it,' Antonelli said. 'I think overall I'm getting a good feeling with the car.'