Japanese Grand Prix 2025 -Schedule, Track Guide & Key Storylines

April 2, 2025 — Evelyn Camden

Japan GP 2025: Schedule, Circuit & Ones to Watch

Suzuka returns as F1 hits round three. Here’s everything you need — times, track tips, team form, and rising storylines.

The Start of a Thrilling Triple-Header

The 2025 Formula 1 season is heating up fast. After a double-header in Australia and Shanghai, the paddock heads to Suzuka for round three — the iconic Japanese Grand Prix. Though it falls on the same weekend as last year, this time it’s the opening race of the season’s first triple-header, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia coming up next.

That means teams are eager to build momentum — especially with long travel and back-to-back weekends ahead.

This race will also mark a farewell of sorts. It’s the final time Red Bull and Racing Bulls will race at Suzuka with Honda. To mark the occasion, Red Bull is going all-in with a special livery for Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda. Max is even debuting a clean, all-white helmet — expect a striking look on track.

Track Preview: Suzuka Circuit

Suzuka is a legend among circuits. Hosting F1 since 1987, it’s one of the few tracks that challenges both car and driver across its entire 5.8 km layout. The famous “Esses,” the blisteringly fast 130R, and the narrow Degner curves make Suzuka a real test of precision, rhythm, and bravery.

Drivers will complete 53 laps on race day — expect fatigue, strategy gambles, and maybe a little chaos if Japan’s famously unpredictable weather joins the mix.

Here’s a breakdown of the most iconic sections:

Turns 1 & 2: Fast entry, light braking — setting up for the twisty action to follow.

Turns 3–6 (“Esses”): Rapid left-right-left combinations — requires perfect balance and minimal understeer.

Degner (Turns 8 & 9): Tight and tricky. Touch the inside curb too much and you’re in trouble. Little room for error.

Turn 11 (Hairpin): Heavy braking, off-camber exit — traction is everything.

Spoon (Turns 13 & 14): Understeer kills exit speed here, and that exit leads straight into one of the fastest stretches of the circuit.

130R (Turn 15): Full throttle at over 300 km/h. A fan favorite — and a driver’s adrenaline rush.

Turn 16 (Chicane): Final stop before the pit straight. Easy to lock up and throw away a good lap here.

Who’s Looking Strong?

After winning at Suzuka in both 2023 and 2024, McLaren enters as the clear favorite — especially off the back of a dominant 1-2 finish in China.

But don’t count out the usual suspects:

  • Ferrari is desperate to bounce back after a messy start (strategy issues in Melbourne, double DQ in Shanghai).
  • Mercedes looks solid and consistent — possibly the closest challenger to McLaren right now.
  • Red Bull has the talent and pedigree, but the RB21 seems temperamental on tire wear. Verstappen should be in the mix, but all eyes will be on Yuki Tsunoda, who replaces Liam Lawson for his first race in the car — and on home soil, no less.

Further down the grid:

  • Williams is punching above its weight, with 17 points in two races.
  • Racing Bulls have pace, but costly strategy errors need fixing.
  • Haas is on the upswing.
  • Alpine, Aston Martin, and Sauber are all looking to climb out of the midfield mud.

Japanese Grand Prix – Full Weekend Schedule

DateSessionLocal time (Japan)London Time (BST)
Friday, April 4thFree Practice 1 (FP1)11:30 – 12:3003:30 – 04:30
Free Practice 2 (FP2)15:00 – 16:0007:00 – 08:00
Saturday, April 5thFree Practice 3 (FP3)11:30 – 12:3003:30 – 04:30
Qualifications15:00 – 16:0007:00 – 08:00
Sunday, April 6Race15:00 – 17:0007:00 – 09:00

Set your alarms — or prep the coffee — because watching F1 in Japan means early mornings in Europe!

Past Winners of the Japanese GP

YearCircuitWinnerTeamEngine
2024SuzukaMax VerstappenRed BullHonda
2023SuzukaMax VerstappenRed BullHonda
2022SuzukaMax VerstappenRed BullHonda
2019SuzukaValtteri BottasMercedesMercedes
2018SuzukaLewis HamiltonMercedesMercedes
2017SuzukaLewis HamiltonMercedesMercedes
2016SuzukaNico RosbergMercedesMercedes
2015SuzukaLewis HamiltonMercedesMercedes
2014SuzukaLewis HamiltonMercedesMercedes
2013SuzukaSebastian VettelRed BullRenault
2012SuzukaSebastian VettelRed BullRenault
2011SuzukaJenson ButtonMcLarenMercedes
2010SuzukaSebastian VettelRed BullRenault
2009SuzukaSebastian VettelRed BullRenault
2008FujiFernando AlonsoRenaultRenault
2007FujiLewis HamiltonMcLarenMercedes
2006SuzukaFernando AlonsoRenaultRenault
2005SuzukaKimi RäikkönenMcLarenMercedes
2004SuzukaMichael SchumacherFerrariFerrari
2003SuzukaRubens BarrichelloFerrariFerrari
2002SuzukaMichael SchumacherFerrariFerrari
2001SuzukaMichael SchumacherFerrariFerrari
2000SuzukaMichael SchumacherFerrariFerrari
1999SuzukaMika HäkkinenMcLarenMercedes
1998SuzukaMika HäkkinenMcLarenMercedes
1997SuzukaMichael SchumacherFerrariFerrari
1996SuzukaDamon HillWilliamsRenault
1995SuzukaMichael SchumacherBenettonRenault
1994SuzukaDamon HillWilliamsRenault
1993SuzukaAyrton SennaMcLarenFord
1992SuzukaRiccardo PatreseWilliamsRenault
1991SuzukaGerhard BergerMcLarenHonda
1990SuzukaNelson PiquetBenettonFord
1989SuzukaAlessandro NanniniBenettonFord
1988SuzukaAyrton SennaMcLarenHonda
1987SuzukaGerhard BergerFerrariFerrari
1977FujiJames HuntMcLarenFord
1976FujiMario AndrettiLotusFord
F1 Japan 2025: Key Times, Track Tips & Big Stakes

Japan GP 2025: Schedule, Circuit & Ones to Watch
Japan GP 2025: Schedule, Circuit & Ones to Watch

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