P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri finished second in the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix after a safety car interuption allowed Kimi Antonelli to pass with a cheap pit stop.
Oscar Piastri drew inspiration from his performance at the Japanese Grand Prix and now sees the possibility of beating Mercedes this season.
Despite Mercedes’ domination early on in the 2026 season, Piastri broke their streak by finishing second to Kimi Antonelli at Suzuka.
Piastri’s confidence stems from the fact that he was not overtaken on track by the race winner, with Antonelli benefitting from a well-timed safety car, which helped him jump ahead after a pit stop.
Piastri acknowledges the challenge of catching up to Mercedes but believes in his team’s capabilities to do so.
While Mercedes has faced setbacks at the start of races, Piastri and Ferrari drivers managed to capitalize on opportunities during the Japanese GP.
