How to watch the 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix

This is how to watch the Formula 1 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, which takes place from 27-29 March.

We’ve also listed the start times for all of this weekend’s F1 sessions below, in both Suzuka time and UK time.

Mercedes and Ferrari are set to resume their battle as F1 heads to Japan for the third round of its bold new era.

The Silver Arrows have enjoyed a near-perfect start, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli heading another Mercedes one-two ahead of team-mate and early championship leader George Russell to seal a breakthrough maiden grand prix victory in China.

Ferrari remains Mercedes’ nearest challenger but despite snatching the lead at the start thanks to the SF-26’s lightning-fast launches, the Scuderia unable to match the devastating race pace of its rival. 

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed a long-awaited first podium in red by beating team-mate Charles Leclerc to third after a thrilling battle.

Reigning world champions McLaren suffered a disaster with a shocking double DNS in Shanghai, while Max Verstappen’s F1 2026 nightmare continued after Red Bull was forced to retire his car.

This weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix marks the final F1 race before an unexpected break from action in April, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia double-header due to the Iran war.

When is the 2026 F1 Japanese GP?

The Japanese Grand Prix runs from 27-29 March.

Two hour-long practice sessions will be held on Friday 27 March, before final practice and qualifying takes place on Saturday 28 March.

The third round of the 2026 F1 season is on Sunday 29 March.

What are the start times for the 2026 Japanese GP?

Friday 27 March:

11:30 (Suzuka) / 02:30 (UK) – Japanese GP Free Practice 1

15:00 (Suzuka) / 06:00 (UK) Japanese GP Free Practice 2

Saturday 28 March:

11:30 (Suzuka) / 02:30 (UK) – Japanese GP Final Practice

15:00 (Suzuka) / 06:00 (UK) – Japanese GP Qualifying

Sunday 29 March:

14:00 (Suzuka) / 06:00 (UK) – Japanese Grand Prix

* Don’t forget clocks go forward by an hour in the UK at 01:00 on 29 March when the UK switches from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST).

How to watch the 2026 F1 Japanese GP in the UK?

Sky Sports F1 is showing every session of the 2026 F1 season in the UK.

With a Sky Sports subscription, you’ll be able to stream the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix online via Sky Go.

A subscription to Sky Sports in the UK starts from £22 per month.

Alternatively, there is a free-to-air option in the UK.

Channel 4 will be providing free highlights programmes throughout the 2026 F1 season.

Crash.net provides live text updates for all F1 track sessions, as well as reports and news