F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Early start for European fans, full TV and streaming guide
F1 returns to Suzuka with very early start times for European viewers. This guide covers all TV and streaming options in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to catch Friday's practice sessions live, as teams assess their form against the dominant Mercedes on the challenging Japanese circuit.
The Formula 1 circus returns to the iconic Suzuka circuit, with European fans facing an early wake-up call to catch the first practice sessions live. Following a dominant start to the 2026 season by Mercedes, all eyes will be on whether any team can challenge their supremacy at one of the calendar's most demanding tracks.
Why it matters:
Suzuka is considered one of the ultimate tests of a car and driver, making Friday's practice sessions a crucial first indicator of competitive form for the weekend. For fans, navigating the early-morning broadcast times across different regions is key to catching all the action live as teams begin to unravel the challenges of the high-speed circuit.
The details:
- Early Schedule: The first practice (FP1) for the Japanese Grand Prix begins at 03:30 local track time on Friday, March 27, which translates to a very early morning start for viewers in Central Europe.
- Broadcast Breakdown by Country:
- Germany: Exclusive live coverage of all practice and qualifying sessions is on pay-TV channel Sky Sport F1. Streaming is available via Sky Go and WOW.
- Austria: Free-to-air coverage is provided by ServusTV, including a free live stream on ServusTV ON.
- Switzerland: No live TV coverage for Friday's practice sessions. Qualifying on Saturday will be broadcast live on free-to-air channel SRF 2.
- Streaming Options: For those without traditional pay-TV, the WOW streaming service in Germany offers a monthly Live-Sport package that includes all Sky Sports F1 content.
- Session Times (CET, Friday March 27):
- FP1: 03:15 - 04:30 (Broadcast start: 03:15 on Sky, ServusTV)
- Team Principal Press Conference: 05:30 (Sky)
- FP2: 06:45 - 08:00 (Broadcast start: 06:45 on Sky, ServusTV)
What's next:
The on-track action continues through the weekend with final practice and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the Grand Prix on Sunday. For fans who miss the live Friday sessions, Sky will air repeat broadcasts throughout the day. The early performances at Suzuka will set the narrative for whether Mercedes' early-season form is untouchable or if rivals like Ferrari and McLaren can begin to close the gap at a classic driver's circuit.
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