Here are the weather forecast and schedule for the F1 in Japan: watch out for possible rain!
Formula 1 is ready for its final round before the unfortunate spring break: after the first two races of the season, the championship heads to Japan for the third round of the busy 2026 campaign.
The Suzuka Grand Prix has always been one of the most anticipated weekends of the year, both for the legendary and iconic history of the circuit and for what could already be a crucial moment of the season, with Mercedes coming from two consecutive wins and Ferrari possibly having a bigger opportunity compared to the first two Grands Prix.
The Japanese weekend could already provide important indications about the competitive order: Suzuka is an extremely technical track where the most complete cars usually stand out. Here are the WEATHER forecast and SCHEDULE for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
The Suzuka Circuit
The Suzuka Circuit, as mentioned, is one of the most iconic and technical tracks in the entire Formula 1 calendar. Located in Japan, the circuit is 5.807 km long and is famous for its unique “figure-eight” layout, featuring the well-known crossover bridge.
Suzuka is an extremely complete track: it alternates fast corners, direction changes and technical sections that challenge both drivers and the new cars. The first sector, characterised by the iconic “Esses”, is one of the most demanding of the entire season and often decisive for lap time in Q3.
Tyre management will also be crucial, especially in fast corners where lateral forces put heavy stress on the front tyres. For this reason, teams will need a car with high downforce and great stability through direction changes.
PLAY – DOWNLOAD THE APP TO PLAY FANTA F1!
These characteristics could favour Ferrari, which has looked competitive in high-speed sections with the SF-26, built on a strong chassis, while Mercedes will aim to confirm the dominance shown in the first two races of the season.
F1 Japan GP Schedule (UK Time)
Here is the full schedule for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix:
Friday 27 March
2:30 AM – FP1 6:00 AM – FP2
Saturday 28 March
2:30 AM – FP3 6:00 AM – Qualifying
Sunday 29 March (BST starts in the UK)
6:00 AM – Race
The third round of the season will follow the traditional format: three free practice sessions, qualifying and race. No Sprint format is scheduled.
Weather Forecast for the Japanese GP
As for the weather, the Suzuka weekend could bring variable conditions.
Friday should remain dry with temperatures around 16°C, while Saturday is more uncertain, with possible rain and similar temperatures. Sunday, however, is currently expected to stay dry.
Photo: Formula 1
