Formula 1 heads to Japan for the third race of the season at the popular Suzuka circuit – before the five-week break as a result of the cancellation of F1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month.
Mercedes are hot favourites this weekend, given their dominance at the opening two rounds. George Russell leads the world championship by four points over teammate Kimi Antonelli, who claimed his first-ever win at the last race in China amid emotional scenes.
Ferrari look to be Mercedes’s closest rivals, with Lewis Hamilton earning his first podium in Scuderia red in Shanghai. The big question remains: can Hamilton or Charles Leclerc claim Ferrari’s first win in nearly 18 months?
Elsewhere, Max Verstappen banished a journalist from his pre-race press conference on Thursday, but his Red Bull team look short on pace, while reigning world champions McLaren will be looking to bounce back after their disastrous double DNS in China. Last year, Verstappen claimed an impressive win in Japan after a stunning pole position.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Japanese Grand Prix.
Driver standings after Japanese GP (TBC)
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 72 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 63 points
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 49 points
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 41 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 25 points
6. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 17 points
7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 15 points
8. Max Verstappen Red Bull) – 12 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 10 points
10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 4 points
11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 4 points
12. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 3 points
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 2 points
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2 points
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1 point
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1 point
17. Alex Albon (Williams) – 0 points
18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points
21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points
Constructor standings after Japanese GP (TBC)
1. Mercedes – 98 points
2. Ferrari – 67 points
3. McLaren – 18 points
4. Haas – 17 points
5. Red Bull – 12 points
6. Racing Bulls – 12 points
7. Alpine – 10 point
8. Audi – 2 points
9. Williams – 0 points
10. Cadillac – 0 points
11. Aston Martin – 0 points
What is the 2026 race calendar?
ROUND 3 – JAPAN
Suzuka International Racing Course – 27-29 March
ROUND 4 – BAHRAIN
Bahrain International Circuit – 10-12 April
ROUND 5 – SAUDI ARABIA
Jeddah Corniche Circuit – 17-19 April
ROUND 6 – MIAMI (sprint weekend)
Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium – 1-3 May
ROUND 7 – CANADA (sprint weekend)
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal – 22-24 May
ROUND 8 – MONACO
Circuit de Monaco – 5-7 June
ROUND 9 – SPAIN (Barcelona)
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 12-14 June
ROUND 10 – AUSTRIA
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 26-28 June
ROUND 11 – GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit – 3-5 July
ROUND 12 – BELGIUM
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 17-19 July
ROUND 13 – HUNGARY
Hungaroring, Budapest – 24-26 July
ROUND 14 – NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)
Circuit Zandvoort – 21-23 August
ROUND 15 – ITALY
Monza Circuit – 4-6 September
ROUND 16 – SPAIN (Madrid)
Circuito de Madring – 11-13 September
ROUND 17 – AZERBAIJAN
Baku City Circuit – 25-27 September
ROUND 18 – SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit – 9-11 October
ROUND 19 – UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 23-25 October
ROUND 20 – MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 30 October-1 November
ROUND 21 – BRAZIL
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 6-8 November
ROUND 22 – LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit – 19-21 November
ROUND 23 – QATAR
Lusail International Circuit – 27-29 November
ROUND 24 – ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit – 4-6 December
