- For the first time in F1 history, the Japanese Grand Prix will take place in April
- Red Bull and Max Verstappen hope to put the Australian DNF behind them as they target their fourth top finish of the year
- Verstappen won the Japanese GP last year, finishing ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Red Bull and Max Verstappen will be hoping to win again this weekend in Japan after an early DNF saw the Dutchman end his nine-race winning streak.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz crossed the checkered line first to claim the top spot on the podium, followed by his current teammate Charles Leclerc in second and his former McLaren teammate Lando Norris in third.
This was the Spanish driver’s first return to F1 after missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to needing emergency appendix surgery.
The Japanese Grand Prix takes place this weekend, which will be the first time in the event’s history that Japan will host a Grand Prix in April.
Here’s everything you need to know about this race weekend, including qualifying and race times.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull will try to win again this week in Japan
The Dutch driver suffered a DNF after a technical fault in the opening laps of the Australian Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz won the race, followed by his teammates Charles Leclerc and former McLaren teammate Lando Norris
Japanese Grand Prix – Important information
The Japanese Grand Prix will take place at the Suzuka circuit on Sunday, April 7.
Sunday’s race will see lights out at 2:00 PM local time, 6:00 AM BST / 1:00 AM ET / 10:00 PM PT (Saturday evening) / 3:00 PM ACST / 2:30 PM AEST.
Three training sessions will take place before Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix last year, ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
The Japanese Grand Prix schedule
Friday April 5
- 3:30: Japanese GP exercise one
- hour: Japanese GP training two
Saturday April 6
- 3:30: Japanese GP practice three
- 7am: Japanese GP qualifying
Sunday April 7
- 6 a.m.: The Japanese Grand Prix
*All times BST*
Where to look
The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage from 4.30am.
Sky Sports F1 will also provide live coverage of all three practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday.
Fans can also stream the race live via the official Sky Go app.
Highlights of the action will be uploaded to the official Formula 1 YouTube channel after the race.
Mail Sport will also report live from the Japanese Grand Prix, so you can keep up to date with the latest developments here.
This weekend’s Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at the Suzuka circuit in Japan
Why has the date of the Japanese Grand Prix changed?
It may come as a surprise to many Formula 1 fans to see that the next race after Australia takes place in Japan, as the Suzuka circuit is usually much later on the F1 calendar
This year’s race was moved to early April as part of F1’s drive to become more sustainable and carbon neutral by 2030.
The Japanese Grand Prix was one of the few races to see a change to its traditional date, as it was moved up earlier on the F1 calendar and therefore takes place between the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix.
That’s why the organization wastes less CO2 emissions by making shorter flights.