The 2024 Formula 1 season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. F1’s traveling circus will travel to the Japanese circuit for the second time in just over six months, making it a good barometer of how much teams have improved or deteriorated since the race’s last outing in September.
Max Verstappen will again be the big favorite, as the nature of the Suzuka circuit suits the characteristics of his car. Despite his retirement in Australia, he leads the championship by four points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, as does his Ferrari Red Bull team.
Considering McLaren did so well here in 2023, it will be interesting to see if they can take over Ferrari as Red Bull’s main challengers in Japan.
What time do the practices, qualifying and race start?
Friday April 5
First exercise: 3.30-4.30am BST
Second exercise: 7-8 hours
Saturday April 6
Third exercise: 3:30-4:30 am
Qualifying: 7 hours
Sunday April 7
Japanese Grand Prix 2024: 6 hours
What’s the latest news?
Sargeant can race despite practice crash
Williams breathed a sigh of relief on Friday after the chassis of Logan Sargeant’s car survived a heavy crash in practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, a sign that the team should be able to enter another race in which they can field just one driver to avoid.
The American did not race in the Australian Grand Prix two weeks ago because his more experienced teammate Alexander Albon destroyed his chassis during opening practice and then took Sargeant’s car for the race because the team did not have a spare wheel.
At the Suzuka circuit on Friday during the first free practice session, Sargeant rammed his car into a trackside tire wall and failed to emerge in a second session that was plagued by wet weather.
“Fortunately the chassis is in order,” team boss James Vowles told reporters. “But I would say that pretty much everything else isn’t: so the suspension all around, the gearbox is cracked, major damage.
“We will of course do our utmost to get the car back on the market.”
Vowles rejected suggestions. Sargeant might have pushed too hard to prove a point after Melbourne.
“[He] wanted to get back in the car and leave, but not with the intention of proving to the world that he deserves a seat,” Vowles said.
“What you saw here wasn’t a driver making a mistake because they were pushing the limits… He just didn’t know where the car was on the track.”
Vowles said they would also not have a spare chassis at the next race in China, but would have one next in Miami.
Sargeant said the crash was due to a “silly mistake” and was looking forward to getting back on track on Saturday.
“I left the team with some damage, but fortunately came away better than I could have,” he added.
What were the times after Friday training?
-
Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1:30.056
-
Sergio Pérez, Red Bull +0.181
-
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +0.213
-
George Russel, Mercedes +0.474
-
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.487
-
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.502
-
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +0.543
-
Oscar Piastri, McLaren +1,109
-
Yuki Tsunoda, RB +1,174
-
Lando Norris, McLaren +1,184
-
Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1,879
-
Alexander Albon, Williams +1.887
-
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +1,902
-
Valtteri Bottas, Sauber +1,998
-
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +1,999
-
Ayumu Iwasa, RB +2,047
-
Pierre Gasly, Alpine +2.221
-
Guanyu Zhou, Sauber +2,582
-
Kevin Magnussen, Haas +2,747
-
Logan Sargeant, Williams +3.148
Reuters
Who won the Japanese Grand Prix last year?
As in 18 other races of the 22 from 2023, Max Verstappen was the winner at Suzuka. However, it was a strong performance from a resurgent McLaren with Lando Norris in second and his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri in third. Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton was fifth for Mercedes after a battle with teammate George Russell.
Length, distance and race distance of the Japanese Grand Prix circuit
First Grand Prix: 1987
Number of rounds: 53
Circuit length: 5,807km
Race distance: 307,471km
Race lap record: 1min30.983sec (Lewis Hamilton, 2019)
How to watch the Japanese Grand Prix on TV and streaming
As in recent years, Sky Sports F1 will have every practice session, qualifying and race live this year.
If you don’t want to take out a full Sky subscription, you can access the 2024 F1 season via Now TV, which has 12 Sky Sports channels for £26 per month and a minimum term of six months.
If you want to watch extended highlights then Channel 4 is your channel of choice, with their qualifying program on Saturday and their racing program on Sunday. You can also register with Now TV per race or per month.
If you’re outside the UK, you can probably subscribe to F1’s own F1TV, which you can do with a monthly subscription.
What is the current status?
What are the odds for the winner of the race?
Max Verstappen 1/6
Sergio Perez 11/1
Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz 14/1
Lando Norris 20/1
Oscar Piastri 33/1
George Russell, Lewis Hamilton 66/1
Who are the previous winners of the Japanese Grand Prix?
Results since 2000
2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2022: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2021/2020: Race not held
2019: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2013: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2012: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2011: Jenson Button, McLaren
2010: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2009: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2008: Fernando Alonso, Renault
2007: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2006: Fernando Alonso, Renault
2005: Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren
2004: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2003: Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2000: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
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