The Japanese Grand Prix will see round 3 of the 2026 F1 season. Image: XPB Images
Formula 1 heads to Suzuka this weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix, marking the final race before an unexpected five-week break in the calendar.
The season so far has been dominated by Mercedes, who arrive in Japan with maximum momentum after sweeping both grands prix and the sprint across the opening two rounds.
George Russell leads the standings, while Kimi Antonelli etched his name into the record books in China as the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history.
Suzuka, a 5.807km figure-eight circuit revered by drivers, presents a very different challenge. Its flowing high-speed esses, technical Degner corners, and the iconic 130R demand absolute precision with car balance and driver confidence critical to unlocking lap time.
Max Verstappen will be one to watch as he looks to ignite his championship challenge at a venue he has made his own in recent years, winning the last four races at Suzuka. With Red Bull yet to hit top form in 2026, the Dutchman will be eager to turn historic form into a turning point for his season.
Ferrari, meanwhile, appears best placed to challenge Mercedes. While they have settled for third and fourth in both grands prix so far, they showed early race pace to suggest a breakthrough could be close.
The Scuderia will also be chasing a long-awaited return to the top step at Suzuka, having not won the race since Michael Schumacher’s victory in 2004.
For McLaren, the focus is firmly on recovery. A disastrous Chinese Grand Prix saw neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri start, leaving the team on the back foot heading into Japan.
Piastri in particular faces an uphill battle. Yet to start a grand prix in 2026, the Australian sits 48 points adrift of Russell and will be desperate to finally get his campaign underway at a circuit where he has previously shown strong pace.
With Mercedes setting the early benchmark, Ferrari circling, Red Bull seeking a response and McLaren needing redemption, Suzuka shapes as a crucial juncture — not just as the third round of the season, but as the final opportunity for teams to make a statement before the sport pauses until Miami in May.
When is the Japanese Grand Prix?
The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka takes place on March 27-29 (AEDT).
What time does the Japanese Grand Prix start?
The Japanese Grand Prix will start at 4pm AEDT on Sunday, March 29. Scroll down for more time zones.
What is the weather for the Japanese Grand Prix?
The forecast for Suzuka will see cloudy conditions across most of the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 19 degrees celsius on Friday and Saturday to a warmer 21 degrees celsius on Sunday.
How to watch the Japanese Grand Prix in Australia
The Japanese Grand Prix will be live on Fox Sports 506. There is no live free-to-air coverage or post-race free-to-air highlights of the event in Australia.
Can I live stream the Japanese Grand Prix in Australia?
The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Foxtel’s subscription streaming services Foxtel Go and Kayo Sports.
How to watch F1 TV commentary feed
The alternative F1 TV commentary feed is available to Foxtel customers with a set top box. Kayo Sports subscribers can only watch the F1 TV feed during Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Japanese Grand Prix Fox Sports broadcast times (AEDT)
Friday, March 27
Practice 1: 1:00pm-2:45pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Practice 2: 4:45pm-6:15pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Saturday, March 28
Practice 3: 1:15pm-2:45pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Qualifying: 4:55pm-6:05pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Sunday, March 29
Build-up: 2:30pm-3:55pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Race: 3:55pm-6:00pm AEDT
Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
How to watch the Japanese Grand Prix in New Zealand
Sky Sport will broadcast the Japanese Grand Prix, with Sky Sport 1 airing Practice 1 as well as Sunday’s pre-race and race coverage, while the remainder of the weekend will be shown on Sky Sport 3.
Can I live stream the Japanese Grand Prix in New Zealand?
The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sport’s subscription streaming service Sky Go or Sky Sport Now.
Japanese Grand Prix Sky Sports broadcast times (NZDT)
Friday, March 27
Practice 1: 3:00pm-5:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Practice 2: 6:45pm-8:15pm NZDT
Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Saturday, March 28
Practice 3: 3:15pm-4:45pm NZDT
Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Qualifying: 6:00pm-9:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Sunday, March 29
Build-up: 4:30pm-5:55pm NZDT
Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Race: 5:55pm-8:00pm NZDT
Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport Now, SkyGo
Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix schedule
Friday, 27 March
Duration
Local
AEDT
AEST
ACDT
ACST
AWST
NZ
Ferrari Challenge Japan
First Practice Session
45 minutes
9:00
11:00
10:00
10:30
9:30
8:00
13:00
FORMULA 1
FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
60 minutes
11:30
13:30
12:30
13:00
12:00
10:30
15:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan
Practice Session
45 minutes
13:00
15:00
14:00
14:30
13:30
12:00
17:00
FORMULA 1
SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
60 minutes
15:00
17:00
16:00
16:30
15:30
14:00
19:00
Ferrari Challenge Japan
Qualifying Session
30 minutes
16:30
18:30
17:30
18:00
17:00
15:30
20:30
Satuday, 28 March
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan
Qualifying Session
30 minutes
10:20
12:20
11:20
11:50
10:50
9:20
14:20
FORMULA 1
THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
60 minutes
11:30
13:30
12:30
13:00
12:00
10:30
15:30
Ferrari Challenge Japan
First Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
30 minutes
13:10
15:10
14:10
14:40
13:40
12:10
17:10
FORMULA 1
QUALIFYING SESSION
60 minutes
15:00
17:00
16:00
16:30
15:30
14:00
19:00
Sunday, 29 March
Ferrari Challenge Japan
Second Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
30 minutes
9:40
11:40
10:40
11:10
10:10
8:40
13:40
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan
Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins +1 Lap)
30 minutes
10:55
12:55
11:55
12:25
11:25
9:55
14:55
FORMULA 1
GRAND PRIX (53 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
120 minutes
14:00
16:00
15:00
15:30
14:30
13:00
18:00
Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship (After Chinese GP)
Pos
Num
Driver
Team
Wins
Poles
Points
Diff
Gap
1
63
George Russell
Mercedes
1
1
51
2
12
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
1
1
47
4
4
3
16
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
0
0
34
17
13
4
44
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
0
0
33
18
1
5
87
Oliver Bearman
Haas
0
0
17
34
16
6
1
Lando Norris
McLaren
0
0
15
36
2
7
10
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
0
0
9
38
6
8
3
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
0
0
8
43
1
8
30
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
0
0
8
43
0
10
6
Arvid Lindblad
Racing Bulls
0
0
4
47
4
10
6
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
0
0
4
47
0
12
81
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
0
0
3
48
1
13
55
Carlos Sainz
Williams
0
0
2
49
1
13
5
Gabriel Bortoleto
Audi
0
0
2
49
0
15
43
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
0
0
1
50
1
16
31
Esteban Ocon
Haas
0
0
0
51
1
16
27
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi
0
0
0
51
0
16
23
Alexander Albon
Williams
0
0
0
51
0
16
77
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac
0
0
0
51
0
16
11
Sergio Perez
Cadillac
0
0
0
51
0
16
14
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
0
0
0
51
0
16
18
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
0
0
0
51
0
