The program for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix

Like the Singapore Grand Prix the previous weekend, the Japanese Grand Prix of Formula 1 is also making its comeback three years after its last appearance in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, the Japanese event had two successive cancellations against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Verstappen champion on Honda land?

It’s a legendary race that is making a comeback. The Japanese Grand Prix made its appearance in 1976 at the world championship of F1, on the Fuji Speedway track. At the time, it was the scene of the final title fight between Niki Lauda and James Hunt. After the death of two people in the public in 1977 following a collision between Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson, the GP disappeared from the calendar for ten years. He reappeared in 1987, at Suzuka, on the circuit owned by Honda. Long positioned as the penultimate round of the calendar, the race was often decisive for the world title.

Although now higher up in F1's ever-expanding calendar, the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix could once again play its part in securing the world title. Only 7th in Singapore, the outgoing champion Max Verstappen could thus be crowned a second time in a row this Sunday. To the greatest pleasure of Honda. If the Japanese firm is officially no longer the team's engine supplier Red Bull, it nevertheless played a big role in this second world title, the attribution of which is only a question of time.

Honda also communicated this Wednesday on a consolidation of its relations with the Red Bull teams and Alpha Tauri. The strengthening of this partnership will result in the presence of the Honda logo on the AT03 of the Team AlphaTauri and on the Red Bull Racing RB18 from this Grand Prix. With a second world title on the horizon, the timing is perfect. 

ALSO READ > Honda strengthens relationships with Red Bull and AlphaTauri

In France, you'll have to wake up at dawn to enjoy the action on the track in the Land of the Rising Sun. From Friday, with the first Free Practice session at 5 a.m. and a second at 8 a.m. This will exceptionally last half an hour longer than the hour of driving usually allocated to drivers in order to test 2023 Pirelli prototype tires. Free Practice 3 on Saturday morning (5:00 a.m.) will return to the classic duration of one hour. 

For qualifying, they will take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Finally, for the race, meet at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The program for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix

Friday, October 7

Free Practice 1: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Free Practice 2: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Saturday October 8

Free Practice 3: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Qualifications: 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Dimanche octobre 9

Race: 7:00 a.m.