The 2026 Formula One season will feature 24 races, the third of which will take place in Japan this weekend.
The next battle for the title is scheduled for the Suzuka Circuit on Sunday, 29 March.
The lights will go out at 07:00 (SA time).
Lando Norris is the defending Formula One drivers’ champion while McLaren are the reigning constructors’ title winners.
As a reminder, the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with Norris and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in second and third, respectively.
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX TIMES
All times SA
Friday, 27 March
Practice 1: 04:30 – 05:30
Practice 2: 08:00 – 09:00
Saturday, 28 March
Practice 3: 04:30 – 05:30
Qualifying: 08:00 – 09:00
Sunday, 29 March
Main race: 07:00
Standings ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix
Drivers
| Rank | Driver | Points |
| 1 | George Russell | 51 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | 47 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | 34 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | 33 |
| 5 | Oliver Bearman | 17 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | 15 |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | 9 |
| 8 | Max Verstappen | 8 |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | 8 |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | 4 |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | 4 |
| 12 | Oscar Piastri | 3 |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | 2 |
| 14 | Gabriel Bortoleto | 2 |
| 15 | Franco Colapinto | 1 |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon | 0 |
| 17 | Nico Hulkenberg | 0 |
| 18 | Alexander Albon | 0 |
| 19 | Valtteri Bottas | 0 |
| 20 | Sergio Perez | 0 |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso | 0 |
| 22 | Lance Stroll | 0 |
Constructors
| Rank | Constructor | Points |
| 1 | Mercedes | 98 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 67 |
| 3 | McLaren | 18 |
| 4 | Haas | 17 |
| 5 | Red Bull | 12 |
| 6 | Racing Bulls | 12 |
| 7 | Alpine | 10 |
| 8 | Audi | 2 |
| 9 | Williams | 2 |
| 10 | Cadillac | 0 |
| 11 | Aston Martin | 0 |
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