What time does the Japanese Grand Prix start? What channel is the Japanese Grand Prix on? The answers to all of that and more in F1i’s race preview
Just four days on from the dramatic Malaysian Grand Prix, the relentless pace of the 2016 F1 calendar continues as preparations are in full swing at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. This is a race which has often been a title decider in the past, but the seventeenth round of the F1 season will only play a supporting role on this occasion with four rounds still to follow after the chequered flag falls on Sunday afternoon. For Lewis Hamilton, there is no room for a repeat of his retirement at Sepang as he is already 23 points behind Nico Rosberg in the championship race, but with 125 still available the defending champion will be glad of the chance to quickly put last weekend’s disappointment behind him at one of the sport’s classic tracks.
FORM GUIDE
It was a messy race for Mercedes on Sunday - partly self-inflicted due to Hamilton’s retirement but also due to Rosberg being hit by Sebastian Vettel at Turn 1 - and that opened the door for Red Bull to take full advantage with a one-two. Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen are now clearly Mercedes’ biggest threat, ahead of Ferrari, and have both the qualifying and the race pace to keep Hamilton and Rosberg on their toes. Ferrari faces a tall order if it wants to regain second in the constructors’ championship, but has a comfortable buffer over Force India and Williams, who should again be closely matched at Suzuka. McLaren has emerged as a consistent factor in that battle for fifth in the constructors’ standings due to its improving pace, but Japan may ask a little more of the Honda power unit than Malaysia did.
2015 RESULT
Pole position: Nico Rosberg, (Mercedes), 1:32.584
Top three: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 1:36.145
SESSION TIMES (All times local)
FP1: 10:00 - 11:30
FP2: 14:00 - 15:30
FP3: 12:00 - 13:00
Qualifying: 15:00 - 16:00
Race: 14:00
TYRE CHOICES
©Pirelli Motorsport
WEATHER FORECAST
An unsettled weekend awaits at Suzuka, with typhoon season resulting in a threat of heavy rain at times during the coming days. The two Friday practice sessions look set to take place in dry conditions, with relatively cool temperatures expected with a high of 22 degrees celsius. On Saturday it should be warmer but there is an 80% chance of rain due to thunderstorms, while race day is set to be cooler and will see morning rain which could result in the track being wet at the start of the race.
UK TELEVISION TIMINGS (All times UK)
Sky Sports F1 - Live coverage
FP1 - 0145
FP2 - 0545
FP3 - 0345
Qualifying - 0600
Race - 0430
Channel 4 - Highlights
Qualifying - 1230
Race - 1330
PODIUM PREDICTION
1st - Lewis Hamilton
2nd - Nico Rosberg
3rd - Max Verstappen
2015 BEST SHOT
Scene at the Malaysian Grand Prix
2016 Malaysian Grand Prix - Quotes of the week
Breakfast with... Gianni Morbidelli
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
