The 2024 Formula One season has not served up too many surprises since it kicked off in the desert at the start of March, but after a two-week interval, all eyes will be on whether anyone can stop Red Bull and Max Verstappen ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
With the Middle East swing and a trip down under to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix in the rearview mirror, the sport begins its brief Far East leg at the famous Suzuka Circuit, with plenty at stake for the rest of the field.
But off-field dramas involving team hierarchy aside, the questions appear to be not who may stop three-time world champion Verstappen but just when he might wrap up a fourth crown after another imperious start.
Below him, the rest of the field is shaping up as they try to stay on the heels of Red Bull. Early signs suggest Ferrari and McLaren are leading the way, but only a fool would write off Lewis Hamilton's hunger to prove doubters wrong in his final year with Mercedes.
It’s shaping up to be a spectacular weekend of action in Mie Prefecture, but just how can you ensure that you see every minute of action on the track? Below, GOAL guides you through where to watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, including practice, qualification, and the race itself.
Where is the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
Getty ImagesThe 2024 Japanese Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, April 7th, in the familiar surroundings of Suzuka Circuit, where it has been held intermittently since the 1987 Formula One season.
Located in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, in the Kansai region of Japan’s main island, Honshu, the venue hosted the Grand Prix before it was originally added to the Formula One calendar in 1976, but did not host until a decade later.
It traditionally takes place in the final third of the season but has been moved to follow the Australian Grand Prix this year.
Where can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
Getty ImagesViewers in the United States can watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix through ESPN. That includes the main race and additional coverage of practice sessions and qualifying periods across the weekend, offering round-the-clock coverage from Friday through Sunday.
While ESPN is not available on linear television, most cable or satellite packages will include the channel in their standard range. FuboTV is your best streaming service provider for access to the Japanese Grand Prix on ESPN, the entire Formula One season, and a whole world of sports.
Fans can catch all the Japanese Grand Prix action with Fubo, which offers a free trial. Plans for FuboTV start at $74.99 per month and go up to $99.99 per month as part of a rolling contract. With over 100 channels, no contract, no hidden fees, and the option to cancel anytime, fuboTV is a no-brainer for Formula One and general sports fans.
2024 Japanese Grand Prix Weekend Schedule
The 2024 Japanese Grand Prix runs across the full weekend, from Thursday, April 4 through Sunday, April 7, with practice, qualifying, and the race itself spread out over a three-day period.
Below, you can find the timings for each practice session, qualifying, and the Grand Prix, as well as which channel to watch them on:
Can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on F1 TV?
F1 TV is the over-the-top streaming package operated by Formula One Management (FOM), the provider of the world feed for F1 broadcasts throughout each season. The service offers commercial-free coverage of all races as part of a single package.
Due to rights deals, F1 TV is limited to which countries it is allowed to operate in. The service is available in the United States, meaning fans will be able to access it and watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.
Can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on demand?
If you have an ESPN or F1 TV subscription, you can watch back the Japanese Grand Prix on demand after the race has finished through the channel's digital and online options.
For mobile devices and personal tablets, the ESPN app will allow viewers to watch back the race in full, allowing fans to revisit the event in full or bite-sized highlights packages.
Likewise, the F1 TV service will allow customers to enjoy full replays of each race throughout the 2024 Formula One season.
FAQs
Getty Images Where can I watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
You can watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix on ESPN and additionally stream the race through ESPN+ and Fubo TV.
Every race of the 2024 Formula One season will be shown by the latter streaming service in addition to its terrestrial broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
When was the Japanese Grand Prix first held?
The Japanese Grand Prix was first held in 1963, though it was not introduced to the Formula One World Championship calendar until 1976 when it was held in the foothills of Mount Fuji.
It vanished after just two years but returned to Suzuka in 1987 and has since been held every year except for 2020 and 2021 when it was struck from the schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Who are the frontrunners for the Japanese Grand Prix?
Following a dominant start to the season and with three world titles, reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen is the early frontrunner for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutchman and Red Bull are at the head of the pack for success this year, though team-mate Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc - not to mention seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton - all remain in the mix.
What race follows the Japanese Grand Prix?
The next race on the 2024 Formula One season calendar after the Japanese Grand Prix is the Chinese Grand Prix, which will be held at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai. Lewis Hamilton will be the defending victor after his win at the 2019 edition, and the race returns to the calendar after a half-decade absence.