How to watch the 2024 F1 Japanese Grand Prix: start time, live stream and TV schedule

The earliest Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix in history takes place this weekend, shifting from its familiar late-season slot to accommodate a more efficient travel schedule.

Now sitting between the Australian and Chinese races, the race weekend will continue the recent early-morning streak for UK viewers: qualifying starts at 7am on Saturday while the Grand Prix starts at 6am on Sunday. Practice sessions on Friday run at 3.30am and 7am; Saturday practice starts at 3.30am.

The race can be watched or streamed live via subscription, while Channel 4 will broadcast highlights on free-to-view TV.

A favourite among drivers, Suzuka has crowned 12 world champions and hosted the Japanese Grand Prix all but four times since 1987. It’s set to remain on the calendar until 2029, after owners signed a five-year contract extension in February.

Ferrari will arrive upbeat thanks to a competitive showing in Melbourne, ending in victory — assisted by Max Verstappen‘s retirement; hopes will be high at McLaren after a double podium finish at the circuit in 2023; while Red Bull will be looking to bounce back. But will the cooler springtime weather challenge some teams’ assumptions?

Set your alarm clock early enough and you can catch every minute of the action. Here’s how to watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.

 

Japanese Grand Prix live stream and TV schedule 

All times in BST

	F1 Qualifying Saturday 6 April	Japanese Grand Prix Sunday 7 April
Session start time	7am	6am
Live coverage Sky Sports, Sky Go, NowTV	6:45am	4:30am
Highlights Channel 4	11:10am	12.30pm

 

How to watch F1: live stream and TV details for 2024 Japanese Grand Prix

Each minute of every F1 session will be broadcast live in the UK, but for paying subscribers only.

Live TV: All on-track sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 starting with Free Practice 1 on Friday at 3.30am. Subscribers also have access to onboard streams from each of the 20 cars, including radio messages, allowing them to follow a favourite driver on their phone while watching the main feed on TV. The onboard streams are also available on TV, as is a ‘Battle Channel’ offering split-screen coverage of the best fights for position.

Live stream: Sky Sports F1 subscribers in the UK can watch all the running live on the Sky Go app. Now TV subscribers can also see live coverage of every session via Sky Sports F1. It also offers onboard views of each driver through in-app bonus streams for monthly subscribers. These can be viewed concurrently with the main stream on a separate screen.

Live timings are available through the F1 app.

Highlights: Channel 4 will show highlights of the weekend, with action from Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s Grand Prix available to watch later on the respective days of each event.

 

Suzuka circuit and details

Drivers describe the Suzuka International Racing Course is one of the most exhilarating venues on the F1 calendar. Originally designed by John Hugenholtz as a Honda test track in the early 1960s, the circuit links together a series of high-speed corners that prove a formidable test for racing’s finest.

The distinct layout sits alongside Fiorano as one of the only two FIA Grade 1 licensed tracks to boast a figure of eight layout. Suzuka has been modified eight times in its history, with the most recent revision made to the Dunlop corner in 2014 in light of the death of F1 driver Jules Bianchi.

Last year, Red Bull took a clean sweep across the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, picking up back-to-back constructors’ titles as Verstappen secured victory once again. Steering clear of the first lap fiasco with an early safety car, the three-time champion fought off the two McLarens to cruise to victory.

2024 Japanese Grand Prix full session times

All times in BST

	Friday 5 April	Saturday 6 April	Sunday 7 April
F1	Free Practice 1 — 3.30am Free Practice 2 — 7am	Free Practice 3 — 3.30am Qualifying — 7am	Japanese Grand Prix — 6am