2022 F1 Japanese GP – How to watch, session timings and more
Fresh from the Singapore GP, where Verstappen weathered a chaotic race weekend to finish seventh, the Dutch driver has his second chance to win the F1 World Drivers’ Championship.
While Suzuka has always been a more likely venue for the Red Bull driver to win the championship, which would also be a fitting venue as Honda’s home race, Verstappen’s result in Singapore has made the title permutations even more difficult with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in contention.
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL36
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
How can Verstappen win the 2022 F1 title at the Japanese GP?
Verstappen has a 104-point lead over Leclerc at the top of the F1 standings with five races to go, while Red Bull teammate Perez remains 106 points adrift of the Dutch driver after his win in Singapore.
In short, Verstappen needs to be 112 points clear at the end of the Japanese GP to clinch the title with four races to go.
Therefore, Verstappen needs to beat Leclerc by eight points and Perez by six to clinch the title in Japan. If a head-to-head is required, it will fall in Verstappen’s favor given his 11 wins so far this year against Leclerc’s three and Perez’s two.
If Verstappen seals the crown in Japan, it would match the feat of winning the title with four races to go achieved by Michael Schumacher in 2001 and 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011.
George Russell, Mercedes W13
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Here’s how Verstappen can seal the F1 World Championship title at the Japanese GP:
If Verstappen wins with the fastest lap, he’s champion
If Verstappen wins without the fastest lap and Leclerc finishes third or lower, no matter where Perez finishes
If Verstappen is second, Leclerc will be fifth without the fastest lap or lower, Perez will be fifth without the fastest lap or lower
If Verstappen is third with the fastest lap, Leclerc will be sixth or lower and Perez fifth or lower
If Verstappen finishes third without the fastest lap, Leclerc will be seventh or lower and Perez fifth or lower
If Verstappen is fourth, Leclerc will be eighth without the fastest lap or lower, or Perez will be seventh without the fastest lap or lower
If Verstappen is fifth, Leclerc will be ninth without the fastest lap or lower and Perez will be eighth without the fastest lap or lower
If Verstappen finishes sixth, Leclerc will be 11th or lower and Perez ninth without the fastest lap or lower
Any alternative outcomes that do not fit into these multiple scenarios and the title fight moves on to the United States GP.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, 1st place, at Parc Ferme
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Full session times for the 2022 Japanese GP
Friday 7 October 2022
Free Practice 1: 4am-5am BST (12pm-1pm local)
Free Practice 2: 7am-8.30am BST (3pm-4.30pm local)*
*FP2 extended for tire testing at Japanese and United States GPs
Saturday 8 October 2022
Free Practice 3: 4am-5am BST (12pm-1pm local)
Qualification: 7am-8am BST (3pm-4pm local)
Sunday 9 October 2022
Race: 6:00am BST (2:00pm local)
How can I watch Formula 1?
In the UK, Formula 1 is only broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights available on Channel 4 several hours after the end of the race. Live streaming via NOW is also available in the UK.
Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts F1 races, can be added as part of the Sky Sports channels at a cost of £20 a month for new customers. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off daily payment of £11.98 or a monthly membership of £33.99 per month.
Fans who want to watch the race for free will have to wait until Saturday afternoon (qualifying) or Sunday afternoon (race) to watch the highlights on Channel 4.
How can I watch the Japanese GP?
Channel: Sky Sports F1 HD and Sky Sports Main Event
Channel numbers – Sky: 406 and 401
Channel Numbers – Virgin Media: 506 and 501
Sky Sports has exclusive live broadcast rights in the UK, with the Singapore F1 GP race build-up beginning at 4:30am on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event before the lights go out at 6:00am.
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri AT03
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
When can I see the highlights of the Japanese F1 GP?
· Channel: Channel 4
· Start time: Qualification – 10:50am Saturday, Race – 12:30pm Sunday
Channel 4 has the rights to show qualifying and race highlights at the Japanese GP.
Will the F1 Japan GP be on the radio?
Live radio broadcasts of every practice session, qualifying session and race for the 2022 F1 season will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live or 5 Live Sports Extra channels and via the BBC Sport website.
Coverage of the Japanese GP begins at 6am BST on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app.
Japanese GP weather forecast
Suzuka is set for warm but mixed conditions throughout the race weekend, with a high chance of rain on Friday and Sunday. Highs of 21 degrees Celsius are forecast for the start of the race on Sunday, nine degrees colder than last time’s Singapore GP.
Most F1 GP wins by Japan
Michael Schumacher: 6 wins (1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
Lewis Hamilton: 5 wins (2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Sebastian Vettel: 4 wins (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)