The 4th round of the Formula 1 world championship, Sunday in Japan, will be an opportunity for Max Verstappen to bounce back after his retirement in Melbourne two weeks ago.
The Grand Prix of Japan will have a somewhat particular flavor. Because after nine consecutive victories, straddling the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Max Verstappen bit the dust during the last race contested a fortnight ago in Australia. Betrayed, once is not usual, by the mechanics of his Red Bull, the triple world champion, who started from pole, was only able to complete three laps before giving up due to a brake problem on the right rear of his car. And, like last year in Singapore, it was Carlos Sainz who took advantage of the opportunity to hoist his Ferrari to the top of the podium in Melbourne. The Spanish driver, back after having treated his appendicitis attack which had cost him his place in Saudi Arabia, managed a perfect race, followed closely by Charles Leclerc for a double as nice as it was unexpected for the Scuderia.
On the traditional Suzuka circuit, on the calendar since 1987, needless to say, Max Verstappen will be keen to get things straight. Close on the heels of Charles Leclerc at the world championship, the Dutchman, a two-time winner in Japan, intends to reinstall his RB20 at the top so as not to give rise to hope among his competitors. But the fact that Red Bull was not so dominant from qualifying in Australia, and that Sergio Perez did not do better than fifth in the Grand Prix, beaten by the two Ferraris but also the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, suggests a suspense to which we have not really been accustomed in recent times. And no one will complain about it.
What time to follow the Japanese Grand Prix?
After Australia a fortnight ago, you will still have to get up early to follow the Japanese Grand Prix live. A little less early anyway since the race on the Suzuka circuit will start at 7 a.m. (French time) on Sunday morning, two hours later than the one won by Carlos Sainz in Melbourne. The twenty single-seaters will make their first laps on Friday from 4:30 a.m. in Paris, or at 11:30 a.m. on the island of Honshu.
- Free practice 1 at 4:30 a.m. on Friday April 5 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 2 at 8 a.m. on Friday April 5 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 3 at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday April 6 (duration: 1 hour)
- Qualifying at 8 a.m. on Saturday April 6 (duration: 1 hour)
- Grand Prix at 7 a.m. on Sunday April 7 (duration: 2 hours maximum)
On which TV channel to watch the Japanese Grand Prix?
The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast exclusively on the channels of the Canal group, holder of the rights to the Formula 1 world championship. You will have to tune in to Canal+ Sport to watch the drivers compete during the first two days while the Grand Prix on Sunday , will be broadcast on Canal+.
- Friday April 5: Free 1 at 4:10 a.m. + Free 2 at 10:40 a.m. to follow on Canal+ Sport
- Saturday April 6: Free 3 at 4:10 a.m. + Qualifications at 10:40 a.m. to follow on Canal+ Sport
- Sunday April 7: “La Grille” show at 5:55 a.m. then departure of the Grand Prix at 7 a.m. on Canal+
Ranking of the drivers’ world championship (after 3 Grands Prix)
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 51 points
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 47 points
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 46 points
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 40 points
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 28 points
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) 27 points
7. George Russell (Mercedes) 18 points
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 16 points
9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 9 points
10. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 8 points
11. Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) 6 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 6 points
13. Niko Hülkenberg (Haas) 3 points
14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1 point
What are the dates for the F1 Grands Prix in 2024?
The 2024 Formula 1 season will have 24 Grands Prix. It began at the end of February in Bahrain and will end at the beginning of December in Abu Dhabi. Here is the complete F1 2024 calendar with times given in French time:
1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir): Saturday March 2 (Winner: Verstappen)
2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah): Saturday March 9 (Winner: Verstappen)
3. Australian GP (Melbourne): Sunday March 24 (Winner: Sainz)
4. Japanese GP (Suzuka): Sunday April 7 at 7 a.m.
5. Chinese GP (Shanotghai): Sunday April 21 at 8 a.m.
6. Miami GP (Miami): Sunday May 5 at 9 p.m.
7. Emilia-Romagna GP (Imola) : Sunday May 19 at 3 p.m.
8. Monaco GP: Sunday May 26 at 5 a.m.
9. Canadian GP (Montreal): Sunday June 9 at 8 p.m.
10. Spanish GP (Barcelona): Sunday June 23 at 3 p.m.
11. Austrian GP (Spielberg): Sunday June 30 at 3 p.m.
12. British GP (Silverstone): Sunday July 7 at 4 p.m.
13. Hungarian GP (Budapest): Sunday July 21 at 3 p.m.
14. Belgian GP (Spa-Francorchamps) : Sunday July 28 at 3 p.m.
15. Dutch GP (Zandvoort): Sunday August 25 at 3 p.m.
16. Italian GP (Monza): Sunday September 1st at 3 p.m.
17. Azerbaijan GP (Baku): Sunday September 15 at 1 p.m.
18. Singapore GP (Marina Bay): Sunday September 22 at 2 p.m.
19. United States GP (Austin): Sunday October 20 at 9 p.m.
20. Mexican GP (Mexico): Sunday October 27 at 8 p.m.
21. Brazilian GP (Interlagos): Sunday November 3 at 7 p.m.
22. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas): Sunday November 24 at 6 a.m.
23. Qatar GP (Losail): Sunday October 1st at 3 p.m.
24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina): Sunday December 8 at 2 p.m.