Japanese Grand Prix LIVE: UK start time, full schedule and how to follow as Ferrari look to keep pressure on Red Bull

After a thrilling one-two in Melbourne for Ferrari, the Formula One circuit heads to Japan this weekend for round four of the 2024 season.

Carlos Sainz, who is set to be replaced by the Italian giants next year, won in Australia last time out, with team-mate Charles Leclerc second.

For once, it was a day to forget for Max Verstappen as his car failed him inside the opening laps, and he was forced to retire.

It was the Dutchman's first DNF since 2022 and opened up the field to take advantage.

The rest of the grid will hope that Red Bull's issues weren't just a one-off as they look to push on and create an exciting battle at the top in the Drivers' and Constructors' championship.

Japanese Grand Prix: Date and start time

The 2024 Japanese Grand Prix will be held at the Suzuka International Racing Course near Nagoya.

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The first two practice sessions will be on Friday, April 5, the third practice session and all of qualifying on the Saturday.

Lights Out will be at 6am UK time on Sunday, April 7.

Japanese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream

The race weekend will be shown on Sky Sports F1.

Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 5am on Sunday.

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Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NOW TV for £11.98 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the day.

Fern Buckley will have updates from Japan live on talkSPORT. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Japanese Grand Prix: Track details

The Suzuka International Racing Course was opened in 1962 and hosted its first Grand Prix in 1987.

The track was built by Soichiro Honda, who wanted his company [Honda] to have a personal circuit to try their cars.

But since its addition to the F1 calendar, it has become a firm favourite and consists of 53 laps.

This is considered one of the best tracks on the circuit and has some brilliant corners.

For spectators, Grandstands D and E are the perfect place to watch the action, while there is also a Ferris wheel and plenty of good food to keep you entertained.

Japanese Grand Prix: Driver standings

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 51
2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 47
3. Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 46
4. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari - 40
5. Oscar Piastri, McLaren - 28
6. Lando Norris, McLaren - 27
7. George Russell, Mercedes - 18
8. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin - 16
9. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin - 9
10. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 8
11. Yuki Tsunoda, RB - 6
12. Oliver Bearman, Ferrari - 6
13. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas - 3
14. Kevin Magnussen, Haas - 1
15. Alex Albon, Williams - 0
16. Zhou Guanyu, Kick Sauber - 0 
17. Daniel Ricciardo, RB - 0
18. Esteban Ocon, Alpine - 0 
19. Pierre Gasly, Alpine - 0
20. Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber - 0
21. Logan Sargeant, Williams - 0

Japanese Grand Prix: What has been said?

Former world champion Damon Hill is excited to see if Red Bull will bounce back.

He said: “I think this is going to be a big test for the competition against Red Bull at Suzuka.

“I think this is really going to test the aero efficiency, tyre wear efficiency in the car as well.

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“But Ferrari is quick in a straight line, and it is a lot of straight line, a lot of high-speed stuff in Suzuka, and what I really hope is that Ferrari can take the race to Red Bull during the actual race itself.

“I think qualifying will still see Max on pole by probably a similar amount, two-tenths, maybe three-tenths or something like that.”