Advertisement

Japanese Grand Prix 2022: What time does the F1 race start, what TV channel is it on and what are the odds?

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka - Peter Fox/Getty Images
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka - Peter Fox/Getty Images

Introducing Telegraph Sport's newsletter – Formula 1: The Racing Line. Landing in your inbox on the Monday after each race, it provides the perfect recap of the weekend. Sign up here

Max Verstappen's dominance of the 2022 Formula One world championship has seen him take a 104-point championship lead into the final five races of the season.

After failing to secure his second drivers' title in Singapore, he can do so in Japan this weekend as the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka returns to the Formula One calendar for the first time since 2019.

When is it?

The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix takes place from Friday October 7 until Sunday October 9.

What time does it start?

Unlike Singapore, which happened under lights, the Japanese Grand Prix is run in the day so it's an early start for European viewers.

First practice started at 4am BST on Friday October 7 at a rain-swept Suzuka with Fernando Alonso recording the fastest lap of 1.42.48sec. Second practice started at 7am BST, with George Russell leading a Mercedes 1-2.

Third and final practice is at 4am on Saturday with qualifying at 7am on Saturday.

The Japanese Grand Prix itself begins at 6am on Sunday October 9.

What TV channel is it on?

Sky Sports F1 have near-exclusive live coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few with their usual excellent team.

Sky's qualifying program starts at 6am on Saturday with their race coverage at 4.30am on Sunday.

Channel 4 also have extended highlights coverage this year, with their qualifying show starting at 10.50am on Saturday and their race highlights program at 12.30pm on Sunday.

What were the times after second practice?

  1. George Russell, Mercedes 1:41.935

  2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.235

  3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull +0.851

  4. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +0.899

  5. Kevin Magnussen, Haas +1.252

  6. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +1.269

  7. Fernando Alonso, Alpine +1.598

  8. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +1.798

  9. Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1.949

  10. Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +2.590

  11. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +2.774

  12. Nicholas Latifi, Williams +3.027

  13. Alexander Albon, Williams +3.104

  14. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, +3.322

  15. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +3.326

  16. Lando Norris, McLaren +3.950

  17. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +4.095

  18. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +4.841

  19. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +5.174

  20. Mick Schumacher, Haas (no time)

What is the weather forecast for the weekend?

After a pretty sodden Friday, Saturday looks to be largely dry with only a small amount of rain forecast and only very late in the day, after F1 running has finished. For qualifying it will likely be sunny with partial cloud with a high of 22 degrees.

Forecast for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday is significantly damper. At present it looks likely to be dry until around 2pm local time – which is when the race starts. From around 2pm onwards there looks to be steady rain predicted throughout the rest of the day.

Of course, that could well change in the meantime, but it looks like there is a reasonable chance for another wet race.

What do we know about Suzuka?

  • Circuit length: 5.807km

  • First grand prix: 1987

  • Laps: 53

  • Race distance: 307.471km

  • Race lap record: 1.30.983 – Lewis Hamilton, 2019

  • 2019 winner: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

  • Number of corners: 18

  • Overtaking chances: So, so really. The best chance is into the final chicane and then maybe perhaps DRS-assisted onto the pit straight and (maybe) through the final corner. The hairpin is a place for a late lunge and into the fast double-left-hander at Spoon is a place for a really bold move.

What are the latest odds?

  • Max Verstappen 1/2

  • Charles Leclerc 7/2

  • Sergio Perez 10/1

  • Lewis Hamilton 10/1

  • Carlos Sainz 16/1

  • George Russell 26/1