The Latest Breaking News from Suzuka

The Suzuka weekend has unfolded unusually, with FP2 effectively being washed out by drizzle, which meant the teams spent most of FP3 on Saturday morning concentrating on long-run data gathering, rather than the typical qualifying simulation efforts.

After the initial sighter runs had been completed, most teams sent their drivers out for lengthy stints on higher fuel to see how they stacked up on the tricky tyre management task at this demanding layout with its abrasive track surface.

The Sauber squad has arrived at Suzuka for this weekend’s 2024 Japanese GP after pitstop issues have blighted each of its showings in the opening three rounds of the new season.

This year’s race takes place on 7 April at 1:00am ET at Suzuka, and the time difference means some late nights and early starts for the American audience across the weekend. 

In 2014, a fresh-faced Max Verstappen logged his first mileage on a grand prix weekend in free practice for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix. His FP1 debut with Toro Rosso foreshadowed the special relationship Verstappen would go on to build with Japan.

Ferrari made wholesale changes to its car after its drivers struggled throughout 2023 with its unpredictable behaviour and sensitivity to changing conditions. That made it particularly hard for Leclerc and Sainz to keep up their race pace, often qualifying well before dropping far behind the Red Bulls. But while Red…

The reigning world champion crossed the line with a 22.4s gap over Perez to clinch his eighth successive F1 win, going back to his Suzuka win last year.

The reigning world champion crossed the line with a 22.4-second gap over Perez to clinch his eighth successive F1 win, stretching back to his Suzuka win last year.

Recent months have seen more and more venues sign up for the long term. The number of races with their slots guaranteed until at least 2030 is in double figures, with Melbourne leading the way thanks to its 2037 end date.