The 2026 season returns to motion after a dramatic Chinese language Grand Prix weekend that noticed a number of groups battle reliability points, resulting in throughout the grid. Whereas some groups proceed to wrestle with the brand new era of vehicles, Mercedes and Ferrari head into the Japanese Grand Prix with robust momentum.
Mercedes loved a dominant weekend in Shanghai, the place Kimi Antonelli forward of teammate , extending the Silver Arrows’ lead within the . Ferrari additionally delivered a aggressive efficiency, with lastly securing his first podium for the crew with a third-place end.
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Winner Kimi Antonelli (C), second-placed George Russell (L), and third-placed Lewis Hamilton (R) have a good time on the rostrum on the 2026 F1 Chinese language Grand Prix.HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP by way of Getty Photographs
(HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Elsewhere on the grid, challenges stay for a number of groups. McLaren’s is this season following early technical setbacks. In the meantime, Aston Martin continues to work on resolving reliability points as Fernando Alonso at Suzuka.
With groups now turning their consideration to the , the main target shifts to the long-lasting Suzuka Circuit. Right here is the total schedule for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka.
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Friday: Free Follow Periods
On-track motion begins on Friday, March 27, with the opening two follow classes on the Suzuka circuit.
March 27: Japanese Grand Prix Free Follow 1 (FP1) Timings
Suzuka Observe Time: 11:30 – 12:30 JST
United States & Canada: 19:30 – 20:30 PDT, 22:30 – 23:30 ET (Earlier day: March 26)
Mexico Metropolis: 20:30 – 21:30 CST (Earlier day: March 26)
Brazil (São Paulo): 23:30 – 00:30 BRT (Earlier day: March 26)
United Kingdom: 02:30 – 03:30 GMT
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 03:30 – 04:30 CET
Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 05:30 – 06:30 AST
UAE & Azerbaijan: 06:30 – 07:30 GST/AZT
India: 08:00 – 09:00 IST
China & Singapore: 10:30 – 11:30 SGT/CST/BJT
Australia: 13:30 – 14:30 AEDT
Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon pose alongside the Godzilla-liveried Haas F1 VF-26 Ferrari through the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix Livery Launch. Alex Bierens de Haan/LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
(Alex Bierens de Haan/LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)
March 27: Japanese GP Free Follow 2 (FP2) Timings
Japan Observe Time: 15:00 – 16:00 JST
United States & Canada: 23:00 – 00:00 PDT (Earlier day: March 26), 02:00 – 03:00 EDT
United Kingdom: 06:00 – 07:00 GMT
Mexico Metropolis: 00:00 – 01:00 CST
Brazil (São Paulo): 03:00 – 04:00 BRT
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 07:00 – 08:00 CET
Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 09:00 – 10:00 AST
UAE & Azerbaijan: 10:00 – 11:00 GST/AZT
India: 11:30 – 12:30 IST
China & Singapore: 14:00 – 15:00 SGT/CST/BJT
Australia: 17:00 – 18:00 AEDT
Saturday: Last Follow and Qualifying
Saturday will present the ultimate preparation window earlier than the drivers arrange their greatest lap instances throughout qualifying to set the grid for Sunday’s race.
March 28: Grand Prix of Japan Free Follow 3 (FP3) Timings
Suzuka Circuit: 11:30 – 12:30 JST
United States & Canada: 19:30 – 20:30 PDT, 22:30 – 23:30 ET (Earlier day: March 27)
Mexico Metropolis: 20:30 – 21:30 CST (Earlier day: March 27)
Brazil (São Paulo): 23:30 – 00:30 BRT (Earlier day: March 27)
United Kingdom: 02:30 – 03:30 GMT
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 03:30 – 04:30 CET
Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 05:30 – 06:30 AST
UAE & Azerbaijan: 06:30 – 07:30 GST/AZT
India: 08:00 – 09:00 IST
China & Singapore: 10:30 – 11:30 SGT/CST/BJT
Australia: 13:30 – 14:30 AEDT
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Ferrari followers through the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix previews at Suzuka Circuit. Mark Sutton – Method 1 by way of Getty Photographs
(Mark Sutton – Method 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
March 28: Japanese GP Qualifying Timings
Japan Observe Time: 15:00 – 16:00 JST
United States & Canada: 23:00 – 00:00 PDT (Earlier day: March 27), 02:00 – 03:00 EDT
United Kingdom: 06:00 – 07:00 GMT
Mexico Metropolis: 00:00 – 01:00 CST
Brazil (São Paulo): 03:00 – 04:00 BRT
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 07:00 – 08:00 CET
Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 09:00 – 10:00 AST
UAE & Azerbaijan: 10:00 – 11:00 GST/AZT
India: 11:30 – 12:30 IST
China & Singapore: 14:00 – 15:00 SGT/CST/BJT
Australia: 17:00 – 18:00 AEDT
What Time Does the Japanese GP Race Begin within the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Different Areas?
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix race takes place on Sunday, March 29.
March 29: 2026 Chinese language Grand Prix Race Timings
Suzuka Circuit: 14:00 JST
United States & Canada: 22:00 PDT (Earlier day: March 28), 01:00 EDT
Mexico Metropolis: 23:00 CST (Earlier day: March 28)
United Kingdom: 05:00 GMT
Brazil (São Paulo): 02:00 BRT
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 06:00 CET
Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 08:00 AST
UAE & Azerbaijan: 09:00 GST/AZT
China & Singapore: 13:00 SGT/CST/BJT
Lewis Hamilton leads Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell after the 2026 F1 Chinese language Grand Prix begin.Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs
(Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs)
Whereas drivers like George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, , and Lewis Hamilton look to increase their momentum, the early phases of the 2026 season have already produced a number of speaking factors throughout the grid.
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From to the most recent updates within the , groups and drivers proceed to navigate new challenges heading into the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
This story was initially revealed by on Mar 25, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
