F1 Japanese GP qualifying: Climate forecast, schedule and how you can watch

Qualifying for the upcoming F1 Japanese GP has the potential to see the grid nearer than ever in 2026. After Friday’s classes noticed Oscar Piastri set the tempo in second apply for the System 1 Japanese Grand Prix, it revealed that Mercedes’ early dominance is perhaps challenged in FP3 and in qualifying at Suzuka.

After Mercedes locked out a 1-2 in opening apply, Piastri responded with a 1m30.133s in FP2 to edge Kimi Antonelli by 0.092s, with George Russell finishing the highest three.

The McLaren driver managed a lot of the session, notably as soon as soft-tyre operating started, whereas team-mate Lando Norris recovered from early points to complete fourth.

The end result suggests the aggressive image stays finely balanced heading into the rest of the weekend, with Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari all exhibiting flashes of tempo beneath System 1’s new 2026 rules. Right here is all you have to know to comply with the motion from Japan.

The place can I watch the F1 Japanese GP?

Followers in the UK can watch the Japanese GP within the normal place for F1, as Sky Sports activities has entered its 14th yr of broadcasting the championship. It’s exhibiting each session of the 2026 marketing campaign, that means the monitor motion may also be streamed by way of the Sky Go app or NOW TV. Followers are capable of watch the motion on freeview as nicely although, as Channel 4 broadcasts highlights of each qualifying and the race.

There was change for 2026 over in the US although, as Apple TV took over from ESPN as F1’s unique broadcaster within the US as a part of a five-year deal for the tech big, value roughly $140m annually.

The place can I comply with qualifying stay for the F1 Japanese GP?

Reside protection of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix is out there by way of Motorsport.com with commentary of each session from FP1 to Sunday’s race.

F1 Japanese GP Schedule

FP3

Occasion
Date

11:30

Japanese GP – FP3

Qualifying

Occasion
Date

15:00

Japanese GP – QU

Race

Occasion
Date

14:00

Japanese GP – Race

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photograph by: Peter Fox / Getty Photographs

What’s the climate forecast for the F1 Japanese GP?

Saturday 28 March: Free Follow 3 and Qualifying

Dry circumstances are anticipated to proceed into Saturday, though cloud cowl could improve barely in comparison with Friday. Closing apply ought to start at round 15C, with temperatures rising to roughly 17C for qualifying. Humidity is predicted to sit down close to 54%, with no vital menace of rain.

Sunday 29 March: Japanese Grand Prix

The Japanese Grand Prix has been identified for excessive moist circumstances previously, however that’s not anticipated this yr. Forecasts level to dry circumstances with sunny intervals for the race begin at 14:00 native time, with temperatures round 19C and steady circumstances all through.

Learn Additionally:

F1 2026 drivers’ standings

F1 2026 constructors’ standings

Place
Crew
Factors

1
Mercedes
98

2
Ferrari
67

3
McLaren
18

4
Haas
17

5
Pink Bull
12

6
Racing Bulls
12

7
Alpine
10

8
Audi
2