What time is lights out? Japanese GP Edition

Discover the start times for each session at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix

Published

21 MAR 2026

Est. reading time

1 min

The 2026 season continues its flyaway run with a trip to one of the most iconic stops on the calendar – it’s the Japanese Grand Prix at the legendary Suzuka Circuit.

Following the opening rounds in Australia and China, Formula 1 stays in a similar time zone for one more round before a break in the calendar, and a shift west to Miami at the start of May.

For fans in Japan and across Asia, it’s another weekend of perfectly timed sessions. For the rest of the world? You know the drill by now.

Europe and Africa, it’s another round of early starts. The Americas, expect some late nights if you’re watching live. Asia-Pacific viewers, make the most of it – these viewing hours won’t be around again for a little while.

Wherever you’re tuning in from, we’ve laid out exactly when the cars will be on track so you don’t miss a moment from Suzuka.

2026 Session Times – Japanese Grand Prix

(All converted to your local timezone from Japanese Standard Time, UTC+9)

Session Schedule

Time displayed in your local timezone

Free Practice 1

FRIDAY, 2:30 AM, 27 MAR, 2026

Free Practice 2

FRIDAY, 6:00 AM, 27 MAR, 2026

Free Practice 3

SATURDAY, 2:30 AM, 28 MAR, 2026

Qualifying

SATURDAY, 6:00 AM, 28 MAR, 2026

Race

SUNDAY, 5:00 AM, 29 MAR, 2026

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