this 2024 Formula 1 season The Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix continues with Red Bull and Max Verstappen locking down the front row to return strong after a disappointing weekend in Australia.
Verstappen won comfortably in 2023 (20 seconds ahead of Lando Norris) and will be on track to repeat his victory despite being pushed along by Sergio Perez. The Mexican rarely managed to stay within a tenth of a second on Verstappen. Missing out on pole position by 0.067 seconds, Norris’ McLaren was third, just three-tenths behind.
Mercedes were hoping to find a rhythm at Suzuka this weekend but fell off in the final tally of qualifying, with George Russell in ninth and Lewis Hamilton in seventh.
When do practice sessions, qualifying sessions and the race start?
Friday, April 5
First exercise: 3.30-4.30am (BST)
Second exercise: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Saturday, April 6
The third exercise: 3.30-4.30 am
Qualifying Round: 7 am
Sunday, April 7
2024 Japanese Grand Prix: 6 a.m.
What’s the latest news?
Hamilton optimistic about Mercedes W15
Lewis Hamilton may have only finished seventh at the Japanese Grand Prix, but he insists his Mercedes hasn’t felt better in three years.
The seven-time world champion will start on row four at Suzuka, with teammate George Russell on row nine.
While from the outside it suggested Mercedes were once again struggling with an underperforming car – as they have been for much of the past two years – Hamilton was in good spirits heading into the remainder of the race Saturday qualifying.
During the race, he expressed regret over the gap to polesitter Max Verstappen via team radio, but he took a more positive view after the race.
“The car drove a lot better this weekend … it was the best it’s felt in three years,” he said.
“I thought we did a really good job last week, just the analysis we did in the factory to get the car into the best shape possible.
“This weekend it was even more at its best, so I hope to continue that in the next games. Then we have to increase our performance.
“I think we’ve gotten the car into a better working window, so it’s been really enjoyable to drive, it’s just that these guys are a little bit faster.”
Penn State Sports
What is the time like after qualifying?
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Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1 minute 28.197 seconds
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Sergio Perez (Mexico) Red Bull 1:28.263
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Lando Norris (UK) McLaren 1:28.489
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Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa-France) Ferrari 1:28.682
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Fernando Alonso (Spar) Aston Martin 1:28.686
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Oscar Piastri (Australia) McLaren 1:28.760
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Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes GP 1:28.766
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Charles Leclerc (Monday) Ferrari 1:28.786
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George Russell (GB) Mercedes GP 1:29.008
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Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) RB 1:29.413
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Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RB 1:29.472
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Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) Haas F1 1:29.494
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Valtteri Bottas (fin) kicks Sauber 1:29.593
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Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:29.714
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Esteban Ocon (France) Alpine 1:29.816
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Lance Stroll(Can) Aston Martin 1:30.024
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Pierre Gasly (France) Alpine 1:30.119
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Kevin Magnussen (Dan) Haas F1 1:30.131
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Logan Sargent (USA) Williams 1:30.139
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Zhou Guanyu (China) kicked Sauber 1:30.143
Who won last year’s Japanese Grand Prix?
As in 18 other of the 22 races in 2023, Max Verstappen won Suzuka. However, it was a strong performance from the resurgent McLaren team, with Lando Norris finishing second and his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri third. Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton fifth after a battle with team-mate George Russell.
Japanese Grand Prix track length, distance and race distance
The first Grand Prix: year 1987
Number of turns: 53
circuit length:5.807 kilometers
Race distance: 307.471 kilometers
Race lap record: 1 minute, 30.983 seconds (Lewis Hamilton, 2019)
How to watch the Japanese Grand Prix on TV and streaming
As in past years, Sky Sports F1 is showing every practice, qualifying and race live this year.
If you don’t want to buy a full Sky subscription, you can watch the 2024 F1 season via Now TV, which has 12 Sky Sports channels, for £26 per month, with a minimum term of six months.
If you want more highlights then Channel 4 is your go-to broadcaster, they have qualifying on Saturday and the race show on Sunday. You can also sign up for Now TV to watch game-by-game or month-by-month programming. Monthly basis.
If you’re outside the UK then you may be able to subscribe to F1’s own F1TV, which you can subscribe to on a monthly basis.
What is the current ranking?
What are the odds of winning the game?
Max Verstappen 1/7
Sergio Perez 6/1
Lando Norris 18/1
Carlos Sainz 20/1
Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri 50/1
Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso 66/1
George Russell 100/1
Who is the past winner of the Japanese Grand Prix?
Achievements since 2000
2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2022: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2021/2020： The match was not held
2019: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Year 2014: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
year 2013: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2012: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
year 2011: Jenson Button, McLaren
year 2010: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
Year 2009: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
Year 2008: Fernando Alonso, Renault
2007: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
year 2006: Fernando Alonso, Renault
2005: Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren
year 2004: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
Year 2003: Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari
year 2002: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2000: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
