Everything is ready for the third Sunday of the season: the race will be live on TV on Sky Sport F1 and streaming on Now, deferred on TV8. Second start in a row from pole position for Antonelli, ahead of Russell’s other Mercedes. Fourth and sixth were the Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton
After free practice and the exciting qualifying session, the decisive moment has arrived for the third round of the world championship Formula 1. On the historic circuit of Suzukain fact, everything is ready for the Japanese Grand Prixscheduled Sunday 29 March 2026. Taking off in front of everyone will once again be one of the W17 E Performance single-seaters fielded by the Mercedes-Amg Petronas F1 team, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli who achieved the second consecutive pole (in his career) after George Russell’s sharp performance on his debut in Australia. Two weeks after the first, the Bolognese driver immediately managed to set the best time of the lot again, equaling drivers of the caliber of Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher And Lewis Hamiltonall of whom later became world champions. Antonelli’s flying lap at Suzuka was impressive, given the three tenths gap he posted to his teammate George Russell. And even if at the moment the drivers Briton has a four-point lead in the standings, the 19-year-old star bearer looks with confidence at the possibility of leading the F1 world championship for the first time in his career. Given the performance of the Silver Arrowsthe title challenge between the two could really last until the last race. Qualifying at home didn’t go very well Ferrariwith the fourth half of Charles Leclerc and the sixth of Lewis Hamilton. The single lap gap is always quite important for the Maranello team, six-seven tenths here in Suzuka, so much so that it is not the second force on the track. In fact, they went back up McLarenwhich despite the reliability problems, were still quite fast. Second and third row arm in arm with the SF-26 for the Papaya Boyswith Oscar Piastri third and the holder of the world title Lando Norris fifth. After not even having started in China, the reigning world champions will want to cause trouble in Japan, but in terms of race pace the Ferraris should go better and aim for the podium. However, it seems impossible for both to try to fight the Mercedes for the victory. Problems at home continue Red Bullwith Max Verstappen who was even eliminated before the last qualifying heat, Q3. The Dutchman, winner at Suzuka for the last four years in a row, will in fact only start eleventh. At Suzuka he was also beaten by his teammate Isack Hadjarwho finished eighth, and the rookie Arvid Lindbladtenth with his younger sister Racing Bulls. In the top ten we still find theAlpinewith the seventh fastest time in qualifying Pierre Gaslyand is also doing very wellAudiwith Gabriel Bortoleto ninth. In the 53 laps of the Japanese race, the management of the energy available will once again be important, as seen more in the first race in Australia than in China.
F1 GP Japan: where to see the Suzuka race
—
The race of Formula 1 of Aramco Grand Prix of Japan 2026scheduled Sunday 29 March on the circuit of Suzukawill be broadcast live in full by Sky on Sky Sports F1 (channel 207even on the move SkyGo) and streaming on Now. The race will then be broadcast deferred on the digital terrestrial channel TV8al button 8 on the remote controlat hours 2.15pm. The Suzuka track, scene of the two famous clashes of 1989 and 1990 between Ayrton Senna And Alain Prostfirst entered the F1 calendar in 1987 and measures 5,807 meters. With its “figure eight” shape, the Japanese circuit is covered clockwise and presents 18 curvesof which ten on the right and eight on the left. A very complete track on a technical level with two long straights, where the front and rear flaps can be opened. There are then several slow corners, such as the hairpin in the middle of the track and the final chicane, but also medium-fast sections, such as the initial “s”, the double curve Spoon and the famous one 130R in the final part. There should be no shortage of chances to overtake, but as already seen in Australia and China the riders will have to pay close attention to battery management.
F1 GP Japan: Sunday TV programming
—
Below are the Sunday opening hours Aramco Grand Prix of Japan 2026on the circuit of Suzukawith the complete television programming:
Sky Sport F1, channel 207 (on the move with SkyGo) and streaming on NOW (live)
Sunday 29 March 2026
- 07:00 – F1 Race 53 laps (live text on the Gazzetta website)
TV8 (free and deferred)
Sunday 29 March 2026
- 2.15pm – F1 Race 53 laps (delayed)
