2024 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix

Perhaps the most popular and exciting circuit on the Formula One calendar, the paddock visits Suzuka this weekend for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix. Here is everything you need to know going into the event.

In the last few years, the majority of traditional F1 fans have deplored the sport's move to street circuits like Miami, Jeddah and the upcoming Madrid venue. But luckily, some truly great layouts still get their slot on the calendar - the almighty Suzuka being one.

This weekend, the paddock flies to the Land of the Rising Sun to take on what is a no-room-for-error circuit. Here is all you need to know about the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in 2024.

New Date​

You may be thinking "Japan again?". Well, yes, although the circus made its annual stop to the country just six months ago, here we are yet again. The Japanese Grand Prix is now just the fourth stop on the calendar, despite holding an end-of-year slot in recent memory.



The move to change the event's date comes as Formula One organisers are attempting to better align Grands Prix into regional blocks. Still, we have a Monaco-Canada-Spain leg, or better yet, China-Miami-Italy.

However, it was also thought that switching the Japanese Grand Prix to an earlier date in the year would avoid the torrential rain seen in previous runnings. Far too often are sessions postponed or cancelled due to the weather. So now moving away from the Japanese hurricane season, this should be a far smoother weekend. Then again, should is perhaps the right word.

2024 Japanese GP Weather​

Despite the efforts, early weather reports this week suggested that the 2024 Japanese GP could get a fair amount of rain on race day. However, at the time of writing, that threat has now moved to Monday, leaving Sunday's event as a dry race at a warm 22°C.


Despite early reports, the Japanese GP should be dry. Image credit: Accuweather

That being said, many will know that the weather can change dramatically in the region with tall peaks and the nearby sea creating micro-climates. Should the threat of rain return for the race, expect strategy to shake up the order.

A Closer Field?​

So what is the order that showers and a wet track could shake up? Well, just three races down in 2024, it is difficult to judge which driver-team combinations have the pace. Obviously, there is no denying Red Bull and Max Verstappen's speed this year with two wins from two finishes, but last time out in Australia proved that Ferrari is not far off.

In fact, Carlos Sainz aboard the red single-seater was looking like a challenge to the Dutch World Champion in the early laps two weeks ago. Much like Melbourne, Suzuka features plenty of high speed sections; the runs to Spoon Curve and 130R in particular see top-speed being of the essence.

But what really characterises the infamous Honda testing ground is its continuous onslaught of high-speed sweeping corners. It is sections like this that McLaren seem to revel at in 2024 as we saw in Saudi Arabia's first sector. Whether or not the orange car's strength in this part of Race 2 was due to setup or the car's overall strength is still up for debate. But we will see if both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have the pace this weekend.


Further down the field, the racing in 2024 is a tale of two halves with the battle to get into the points being fiercer than ever. With the top five teams clearly ahead of the bottom half, any retirement up front results in the possibility of points. As a result, the desperate fight between Williams, Haas, RB, Alpine and Sauber is tremendous.

In this lower 50% of the field, times are extremely close, so the fights are nose-to-tail all race long. If ever the lead punch-up is not as eventful as we all hope, the tail-end is sure to provide excitement.

How to Watch the Japanese GP​

Having not visited a traditional race track yet this year with its grass verges and twisty layout, there is a lot to learn at this year's Japanese Grand Prix. If you want to catch all of the action, it is available across the world on TV, whilst most get access to the series' own F1 TV.

Here in Europe, we are lucky to get a number of Grand Prix at a sleep-friendly time, with so many races taking place in the region. But unfortunately, Japan is on the other side of the world. As a result, we Europeans must either get up mind-bogglingly early, or catch the event after the fact. Will you wake up for the race or watch it at a more reasonable hour? Here are the session times you need to look out for.

2024 Japanese GP Start Time​

Who are you cheering for in the 2024 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!