How to watch F1 qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix

The Formula 1 weekend in Suzuka continues with qualifying on Saturday, March 28, 2026, presenting European fans with a very early wake-up call to catch the action live. The final practice session starts at 3:30 AM CET, with the all-important qualifying for pole position following at 7:00 AM CET, broadcast on pay-TV channel Sky Sport F1 in Germany and on free-to-air ServusTV in Austria.

Why it matters:

The Japanese Grand Prix at the iconic Suzuka Circuit is a season highlight, but its location creates a significant time-zone challenge for its massive European fanbase. Where and how fans can watch the sessions live directly impacts viewership and engagement for one of F1's most popular events. The broadcast split between pay-TV and free-to-air options across different regions also highlights the ongoing complexities of F1's media rights landscape.

The details:

• Early Schedule: Due to the time difference, the on-track action begins in the middle of the night for European viewers. Final practice (FP3) starts at 3:30 AM Central European Time (CET).
• Qualifying Time: The main qualifying session, which decides the grid for Sunday's race, starts at the more viewer-friendly time of 7:00 AM CET.
• Broadcasters:
  • Germany: Exclusive live coverage is on pay-TV via Sky Sport F1, also available through its Sky Go and WOW streaming services.
  • Austria: Free-to-air coverage is provided by ServusTV, both on TV and via its ServusTV On streaming platform.
  • Switzerland: Free-to-air coverage of qualifying is on SRF 2 (starting at 6:55 AM CET), though it will not broadcast the earlier FP3 session.
• Replays: For those not wanting to wake up early, multiple replay broadcasts are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening on both Sky and ServusTV.
• VPN Option: The article notes that fans can use a VPN service to access the free-to-air broadcasts from Austria (ServusTV) or Switzerland (SRF) from other countries.

What's next:

The outcome of qualifying in Suzuka is particularly crucial, as the last four Japanese Grands Prix have been won from pole position. With the challenging, figure-eight layout and the hardest tire compounds in use (C1, C2, C3), securing a good grid spot is often the first major step to victory. Once the grid is set, focus will immediately shift to race strategy for Sunday's grand prix.