The 2026 Formula One season is underway with new cars, new teams and new drivers.
It’s been a blistering start to the 2026 Formula One season for Mercedes with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli dominating the opening two rounds.
Ferrari has been consistently just behind them while heavyweights McLaren and Red Bull have plenty of work to do.
Australia’s Oscar Piastri in particular will be desperately hoping for a change in fortunes at Suzuka after failing to even make the starting line in both Melbourne and Shanghai.
To be raced over 53 x 5.807 km laps, the F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2026 is finally here and for all your time, TV and streaming details look no further than The Sporting News for a full guide.
F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Weekend Schedule
Friday, 27 March
Practice 1
1:30 p.m. (AEDT)
Friday, 27 March
Practice 2
5:00 p.m. (AEDT)
Saturday, 28 March
Practice 3
1:30 p.m. (AEDT)
Saturday, 28 March
Qualifying
5:00 p.m. (AEDT)
Sunday, 29 March
Race
4:00 p.m. (AEDT)
F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Start Time
The F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2026 will take place at the Suzuka Circuit on Sunday March 29 and begin at 2:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that start time translates across Australia:
Date
Start time
AEDT
Sun, Mar. 15
4:00 p.m.
AEST
Sun, Mar. 15
3:00 p.m.
ACDT
Sun, Mar. 15
3:30 p.m.
AWST
Sun, Mar. 15
1:00 p.m.
F1 Japanese Grand Prix: TV channel, live stream details
Free-to-air channel:
n/a
Subscription channel:
Fox Sports
Live stream:
There is no live free-to-air coverage of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2026 in Australia.
All the action from Suzuka will be available to watch live on Fox Sports and via streaming service Kayo Sports which has a $1 FIRST MONTH offer for new subscribers.
F1 fans can also follow the race through the official F1 TV streaming service which provides live timing insights and a vast library of on-demand content. Accessible via the web and app stores, F1 TV offers both Pro and Premium subscription plans with new users eligible for a seven-day trial.
2026 Formula 1 Season – Upcoming Races
10-13 April
Bahrain Grand Prix*
Bahrain
17-19 April
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix*
Jeddah
1-3 May
Miami Grand Prix
Miami
22-24 May
Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal
5-7 June
Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco
* Both races have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
F1 Drivers World Championship 2026 standings, points
Standings updated after the Chinese Grand Prix
Position
Driver
Team
Points
1.
George Russell
Mercedes
51
2.
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
47
3.
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
34
4.
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
33
5.
Oliver Bearman
Haas
17
6.
Lando Norris
McLaren
15
7.
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
9
8.
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
8
9.
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
8
10.
Arvind Lindblad
Racing Bulls
4
11.
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
4
12.
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
3
13.
Carlos Sainz
Williams
2
14.
Gabriel Bortoleto
Audi
2
15.
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
1
16.
Esteban Ocon
Haas
0
17.
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi
0
18.
Alexander Albon
Williams
0
19.
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac
0
20.
Sergio Perez
Cadillac
0
21.
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
0
22.
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
0