SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Here's a guide that tells you what you need to know about the Japanese Grand Prix. It's the third round of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
How to watch the Japanese Grand Prix on TV
— In the U.S., ESPN.
— Other countries are listed here.
What is the remainder of the Japanese GP schedule?
— Saturday: Third practice and qualifying.
— Sunday: The Japanese Grand Prix.
Where is the Japanese Grand Prix taking place?
The Suzuka circuit first hosted F1 in 1987 and is a favorite with drivers and fans for its fast and technical layout. Owned by Honda, it's the only track on the F1 calendar in a figure-of-eight layout, using a bridge to cross over itself. The timing of the Japanese Grand Prix moved to the spring — cherry blossom season — last year, which means cooler weather, and rain is in the forecast. Max Verstappen won the 2024 race at Suzuka in dominant style from then-teammate Sergio Perez.
What happened in the last race?
Oscar Piastri won the Chinese Grand Prix from pole for McLaren, with teammate Lando Norris second and George Russell third for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton won the sprint race in his first major success since joining Ferrari, but he and teammate Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the Grand Prix the following day. It was Liam Lawson's second and last race for Red Bull before the team dropped him last week in favor of Yuki Tsunoda, who will be at his home race in Japan. Norris leads Verstappen by eight points in the driver standings.
What do I need to know about F1 and the Japanese Grand Prix?
Get caught up:
— Storylines for the Japanese GP are as fleeting as the cherry blossoms this time of year
— McLaren’s Oscar Piastri wins Chinese GP from teammate Lando Norris. Both Ferraris disqualified
— Ferrari vows to fix ‘mistakes’ that disqualified Hamilton: 5 takeaways from the Chinese Grand Prix
— Red Bull drops Liam Lawson and replaces him with Yuki Tsunoda
— Lando Norris: McLaren is ready for a title fight between its drivers
— Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is having a cultural impact far beyond Formula 1
Key stats at Suzuka
3 — McLaren has won three consecutive F1 races for the first time since 2012. A fourth win in a row would be the team's best run in 20 years.
28 — Piastri has scored at least one point in every one of the last 28 race weekends dating to Brazil in November 2023.
17 — Ferrari has just 17 constructors' points after its double disqualification in China and is already 61 behind McLaren in the standings. Williams also has 17 but the team is much more satisfied after often racing at the back last year.
McLaren fastest in Friday's practice sessions
McLaren had the top times in Friday’s two practice sessions. Both were run under clear skies and sunshine ahead of the forecast rain for race day. Norris was quickest in the first session, clocking 1 minute, 28.549 seconds. Teammate Piastri was fastest in the second in 1:28.114 with Norris just 0.049 behind. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar had the third-quickest time in the second session, just 0.404 behind Piastri.
What has been said in Japan ahead of the race?
“We know realistically the McLarens are exceptionally strong, and I think it’s going to be challenging for anybody else to compete with them. But you know, we saw last year how dominant Red Bull were, and suddenly they weren’t at the end of the season" — Russell.
“Our performance compared to McLaren is just not good enough" — Leclerc.
“I’m not saying I’m confident that I can perform straight away like Max.” — Yuki Tsunoda discussing his promotion to the top team at Red Bull.
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The Associated Press
