Japanese Grand Prix 2026: How to Watch and Key Details

The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where Mercedes aims to extend its perfect start after securing 1-2 finishes in the opening two races. The event returns to a traditional weekend format, featuring three practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race on Sunday, with broadcast details available for fans worldwide.

Why it matters:

Suzuka is a classic, high-speed circuit that serves as a true test of car performance and driver skill, often shaking up the competitive order. With Mercedes establishing early dominance through George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, this race will be a critical indicator of whether rivals like Ferrari and the struggling 2025 champions McLaren can begin to close the gap.

The details:

• Mercedes' Strong Start: The Silver Arrows have locked out the top two positions in both races so far, with Russell and Antonelli taking a win apiece, putting them firmly ahead of a resurgent Ferrari and McLaren.
• Weekend Format: The event will follow the standard format, with no Sprint race scheduled. This places greater emphasis on qualifying performance and race strategy.
• How to Watch:
  • UK: Full coverage is available through a Sky Sports F1 subscription.
  • USA: Apple TV+ holds the broadcast rights for the 2026 season. New subscribers can access the race via a free seven-day trial.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the on-track action at one of F1's most demanding circuits. All sessions will be crucial for teams to gather data and refine their setups. The race result will either solidify Mercedes' commanding lead or provide the first sign of a potential challenge from the chasing pack as the season develops.

Session Times (All UK Local Time):

• FP1: Friday, March 27 – 02:30
• FP2: Friday, March 27 – 06:00
• FP3: Saturday, March 28 – 02:30
• Qualifying: Saturday, March 28 – 06:00
• Race: Sunday, March 29 – 06:00