Formula 1 heads to the Suzuka circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix, which will kick off the first triple-header of the 2025 season. Following on from Japan will be the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix.
The biggest story going into this weekend is the driver lineup changes for Red Bull and Racing Bulls. The former team decided to replace rookie Liam Lawson after just two races, with the New Zealander stepping into Racing Bulls to drive alongside fellow rookie Isack Hadjar. Yuki Tsunoda will take the seat beside four-time champion Max Verstappen in front of his home crowd.
Here is everything you need to know to catch all of the on-track action.
When is the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix?
Friday, 4 April
Practice 1
Local time: 11:30 – 12:30
GMT: 03:30 – 04:30
PST: 19:30 – 20:30 (Thursday, 3 April)
ET: 22:30 – 23:30 (Thursday, 3 April)
CET: 04:30 – 05:30
CST: 10:30 – 11:30
Practice 2
Local time: 15:00 – 16:00
GMT: 07:00 – 08:00
PST: 23:00 – 00:00 (Thursday, 3 April)
ET: 02:00 – 03:00
CET: 08:00 – 09:00
CST: 14:00 – 15:00
Saturday, 5 April
Practice 3
Local time: 11:30 – 12:30
GMT: 03:30 – 04:30
PST: 19:30 – 20:30 (Friday, 4 April)
ET: 22:30 – 23:39 (Friday, 4 April)
CET: 04:30 – 05:30
CST: 10:30 – 11:30
Qualifying
Local time: 15:00 – 16:00
GMT: 07:00 – 08:00
PST: 23:00 – 00:00 (Friday, 4 April)
ET: 02:00 – 03:00
CET: 08:00 – 09:00
CST: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday, 6 April
Grand Prix:
Local time: 14:00
GMT: 06:00
PST: 22:00 (Saturday, 5 April)
ET: 01:00
CET: 07:00
CST: 13:00
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
How to watch the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix?
Fans watching the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix from the UK can watch via Sky Sports F1 or streaming services such as NowTV. United States viewers can watch through ESPN as well as fuboTV and F1 TV.
Japanese fans will be able to watch all of the on-track action through Fuji TV and DAZN.
For a full list of F1 broadcasts for each country, visit here.
Japanese Grand Prix: Repeat winners
Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the Japanese Grand Prix, racking up six victories between 1995 and 2004. Lewis Hamilton closely follows with five wins at the Suzuka circuit between 2007 and 2018.
Full list of repeat winners
6 wins:
Michael Schumacher – 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004
5 wins:
Lewis Hamilton – 2007, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
4 wins:
Sebastian Vettel – 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
3 wins:
Max Verstappen – 2022, 2023, 2024
2 wins:
Gerhard Berger – 1987, 1991
Ayrton Senna – 1988, 1993
Damon Hill – 1994, 1996
Mika Hakkinen – 1998, 1999
Fernando Alonso – 2006, 2008
Japanese Grand Prix: Facts to know
When was the first Japanese Grand Prix?
The first Japanese Grand Prix was held in 1987. Nigel Mansell suffered a crash during qualifying that put him out of the race at the Suzuka circuit, leading to his championship rival Nelson Piquet clinching the title that year. However, it was Gerhard Berger who celebrated on the top step of the podium in the first race.
Who holds the lap record?
The Japanese Grand Prix lap record is currently held by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton with a time of 1:30.983, which he set in 2019.
Who won the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen won the 2024 race at Suzuka. He was joined on the podium by his team-mate at the time, Sergio Perez, who finished in second, and then-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz in third.
What are the drivers’ standings ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix?
1. Lando Norris, McLaren – 44 points
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 36 points
3. George Russell, Mercedes – 35 points
4. Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 34 points
5. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – 22 points
6. Alex Albon, Williams – 16 points
7. Esteban Ocon, Haas – 10 points
8. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 10 points
9. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari – 9 points
10. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 8 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber – 6 points
12. Oliver Bearman, Haas – 4 points
13. Yuki Tsunoda*, Racing Bulls – 3 points
14. Carlos Sainz, Williams – 1 point
15. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls – 0 points
16. Pierre Gasly, Alpine – 0 points
17. Liam Lawson*, Red Bull – 0 points
18. Jack Doohan, Alpine – 0 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber – 0 points
20/NC. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 0 points
* Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson will swap teams from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards.
What are the constructors’ standings ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix?
1. McLaren – 78 points
2. Mercedes – 57 points
3. Red Bull – 36 points
4. Williams – 17 points
5. Ferrari – 17 points
6. Haas – 14 points
7. Aston Martin – 10 points
8. Sauber – 6 points
9. Racing Bulls – 3 points
10. Alpine – 0 points
