The 2024 Formula One season has not served up too many surprises since it kicked off in the desert at the start of March, but after a two-week interval, all eyes will be on whether anyone can stop Red Bull and Max Verstappen ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
With the Middle East swing and a trip down under to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix in the rearview mirror, the sport begins its brief Far East leg at the famous Suzuka Circuit, with plenty at stake for the rest of the field.
But off-field dramas involving team hierarchy aside, the questions appear to be not who may stop three-time world champion Verstappen but just when he might wrap up a fourth crown after another imperious start.
Below him, the rest of the field is shaping up as they try to stay on the heels of Red Bull. Early signs suggest Ferrari and McLaren are leading the way, but only a fool would write off Lewis Hamilton's hunger to prove doubters wrong in his final year with Mercedes.
It’s shaping up to be a spectacular weekend of action in Mie Prefecture, but just how can you ensure that you see every minute of action on the track? Below, GOAL guides you through where to watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, including practice, qualification, and the race itself.
Where is the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
Getty ImagesThe 2024 Japanese Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, April 7, in the familiar surroundings of Suzuka Circuit, where it has been held intermittently since the 1987 Formula One season.
Located in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, in the Kansai region of Japan’s main island, Honshu, the venue hosted the Grand Prix before it was originally added to the Formula One calendar in 1976, but did not host until a decade later.
It traditionally takes place in the final third of the season but has been moved to follow the Australian Grand Prix this year.
Where can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
Getty ImagesViewers in the United States can watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix through Sky Sports F1. That includes not only the main race itself but also additional coverage of practice sessions and qualifying periods across the full weekend, offering round-the-clock coverage from Friday through Sunday.
While Sky Sports F1 is not available on linear television, the service’s sports package will include the channel among varied forms, while other British services, such as NOW TV, may also carry it for a surcharge.
To sign up for Sky Sports F1, visit the satellite provider’s website and follow the set-up instructions to purchase or activate your account. Prices typically start from £20.00 per month, on top of a regular Sky subscription cost too.
2024 Japanese Grand Prix Weekend Schedule
The 2024 Japanese Grand Prix runs over the full weekend, from Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, with practice, qualifying, and the race itself spread out over three days.
Below, you can find the timings for each practice session, qualifying, and the Grand Prix, as well as which channel to watch them on:
| Date | Phase | Time (GMT) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 5 | Practice 1 | 03:30 a.m. | Sky Sports F1 |
| Friday, April 5 | Practice 2 | 07:00 a.m. | Sky Sports F1 |
| Saturday, April 6 | Practice 3 | 03:30 a.m. | Sky Sports F1 |
| Saturday, April 6 | Qualifying | 07:00 a.m. | Sky Sports F1 |
| Sunday, April 7 | Grand Prix | 06:00 a.m. | Sky Sports F1 |
Can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on F1 TV?
F1 TV is the over-the-top streaming package operated by Formula One Management (FOM), the provider of the world feed for F1 broadcasts throughout each season. The service offers commercial-free coverage of all races as part of a single package.
Due to rights deals, F1 TV is limited to which countries it is allowed to operate in. The service is not available in the United Kingdom, meaning fans hoping to use the service would need a VPN in order to access it and watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.
Can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on demand?
If you have a Sky Sports F1 subscription, you can watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on demand after the race has finished through the channel’s digital and online options.
The Sky Go app, for mobile devices and personal tablets, will allow viewers to watch back the race in full, while those with a Sky+ subscription will be able to also record the game and catch it retroactively.
Additionally, those with NOW TV will be able to effectively draw upon the Sky Sports F1 coverage, too, though their ability to access on-demand replay broadcasts will be limited due to the nature of the package.
FAQs
Getty Images Where can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
You can watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 and additionally stream the race through the Sky Go app.
Every race of the 2024 Formula One season will be shown by the satellite broadcaster on both its network and its streaming service.
When was the Japanese Grand Prix first held?
The Japanese Grand Prix was first held in 1963, though it was not introduced to the Formula One World Championship calendar until 1976 when it was held in the foothills of Mount Fuji.
It vanished after just two years but returned to Suzuka in 1987 and has since been held every year except for 2020 and 2021 when it was struck from the schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Who are the frontrunners for the Japanese Grand Prix?
Following a dominant start to the season and with three world titles, reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen is the early frontrunner for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutchman and Red Bull are at the head of the pack for success this year, though team-mate Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc - not to mention seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton - all remain in the mix.
What race follows the Japanese Grand Prix?
The next race on the 2024 Formula One season calendar after the Japanese Grand Prix is the Chinese Grand Prix, which will be held at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai. Lewis Hamilton will be the defending victor after his win at the 2019 edition, and the race returns to the calendar after a half-decade absence.