F1 Japanese GP Weekend Schedule: Practice, Qualifying, and Race Times

Complete 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix weekend schedule, including practice, qualifying, and race start time at Suzuka Circuit.

by Arman Khan

Mar 25, 2026

The Suzuka Circuit entrance sign during the 2025 Japanese GP qualifying.

Kym Illman/Getty Images

The 2026 Formula 1 season returns to action after a dramatic Chinese Grand Prix weekend that saw several teams battle reliability issues, leading to multiple DNFs and DNS results across the grid. While some teams continue to struggle with the new generation of cars, Mercedes and Ferrari head into the Japanese Grand Prix with strong momentum.

Mercedes enjoyed a dominant weekend in Shanghai, where Kimi Antonelli secured a historic victory ahead of teammate George Russell, extending the Silver Arrows’ lead in the 2026 F1 championship standings. Ferrari also delivered a competitive performance, with Lewis Hamilton finally securing his first podium for the team with a third-place finish.

Winner Kimi Antonelli (C), second-placed George Russell (L), and third-placed Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrate on the podium at the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix.
HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP via Getty Images

Elsewhere on the grid, challenges remain for several teams. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is yet to start a race this season following early technical setbacks. Meanwhile, Aston Martin continues to work on resolving reliability issues as Fernando Alonso prepares to sit out FP1 at Suzuka.

With teams now turning their attention to the next round on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, the focus shifts to the iconic Suzuka Circuit. Here is the full schedule for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka.

Friday: Free Practice Sessions

On-track action begins on Friday, March 27, with the opening two practice sessions at the Suzuka circuit.

March 27: Japanese Grand Prix Free Practice 1 (FP1) Timings

Suzuka Track Time: 11:30 - 12:30 JST
United States & Canada: 19:30 - 20:30 PDT, 22:30 - 23:30 ET (Previous day: March 26)
Mexico City: 20:30 - 21:30 CST (Previous day: March 26)
Brazil (São Paulo): 23:30 - 00:30 BRT (Previous 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 during the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix Livery Launch.
Alex Bierens de Haan/LAT Images via Getty Images

March 27: Japanese GP Free Practice 2 (FP2) Timings

Japan Track Time: 15:00 - 16:00 JST
United States & Canada: 23:00 - 00:00 PDT (Previous day: March 26), 02:00 - 03:00 EDT
United Kingdom: 06:00 - 07:00 GMT
Mexico City: 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: Final Practice and Qualifying

Saturday will provide the final preparation window before the drivers set up their best lap times during qualifying to set the grid for Sunday’s race.

March 28: Grand Prix of Japan Free Practice 3 (FP3) Timings

Suzuka Circuit: 11:30 - 12:30 JST
United States & Canada: 19:30 - 20:30 PDT, 22:30 - 23:30 ET (Previous day: March 27)
Mexico City: 20:30 - 21:30 CST (Previous day: March 27)
Brazil (São Paulo): 23:30 - 00:30 BRT (Previous 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

Ferrari fans during the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix previews at Suzuka Circuit.
Mark Sutton - Formula 1 via Getty Images

March 28: Japanese GP Qualifying Timings

Japan Track Time: 15:00 - 16:00 JST
United States & Canada: 23:00 - 00:00 PDT (Previous day: March 27), 02:00 - 03:00 EDT
United Kingdom: 06:00 - 07:00 GMT
Mexico City: 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 Start in the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Other Regions?

The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix race takes place on Sunday, March 29.

March 29: 2026 Chinese Grand Prix Race Timings

Suzuka Circuit: 14:00 JST
United States & Canada: 22:00 PDT (Previous day: March 28), 01:00 EDT
Mexico City: 23:00 CST (Previous 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
India: 10:30 IST
China & Singapore: 13:00 SGT/CST/BJT
Australia: 16:00 AEDT

Lewis Hamilton leads Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell after the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix start.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images

While drivers like George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton look to extend their momentum, the early stages of the 2026 season have already produced several talking points across the grid.

From technical debates surrounding Mercedes’ front wing to the latest updates in the FIA’s penalty points system, teams and drivers continue to navigate new challenges heading into the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.