Japanese Grand Prix 2022: What time does the F1 race start, what TV channel is it on and what are the odds?
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Max Verstappen's dominance of the 2022 Formula One world championship has seen him take a 104-point championship lead into the final five races of the season.
After failing to secure his second drivers' title in Singapore, he can do so in Japan this weekend as the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka returns to the Formula One calendar for the first time since 2019.
When is it?
The 2022 Japanese Grand Prix takes place from Friday October 7 until Sunday October 9.
What time does it start?
Unlike Singapore, which happened under lights, the Japanese Grand Prix is run in the day so it's an early start for European viewers.
First practice started at 4am BST on Friday October 7 at a rain-swept Suzuka with Fernando Alonso recording the fastest lap of 1.42.48sec. Second practice started at 7am BST, with George Russell leading a Mercedes 1-2.
Third and final practice is at 4am on Saturday with qualifying at 7am on Saturday.
The Japanese Grand Prix itself begins at 6am on Sunday October 9.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports F1 have near-exclusive live coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few with their usual excellent team.
Sky's qualifying program starts at 6am on Saturday with their race coverage at 4.30am on Sunday.
Channel 4 also have extended highlights coverage this year, with their qualifying show starting at 10.50am on Saturday and their race highlights program at 12.30pm on Sunday.
What were the times after second practice?
George Russell, Mercedes 1:41.935
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.235
Max Verstappen, Red Bull +0.851
Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +0.899
Kevin Magnussen, Haas +1.252
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +1.269
Fernando Alonso, Alpine +1.598
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +1.798
Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1.949
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +2.590
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +2.774
Nicholas Latifi, Williams +3.027
Alexander Albon, Williams +3.104
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, +3.322
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +3.326
Lando Norris, McLaren +3.950
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +4.095
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +4.841
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +5.174
Mick Schumacher, Haas (no time)
What is the weather forecast for the weekend?
After a pretty sodden Friday, Saturday looks to be largely dry with only a small amount of rain forecast and only very late in the day, after F1 running has finished. For qualifying it will likely be sunny with partial cloud with a high of 22 degrees.
Forecast for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday is significantly damper. At present it looks likely to be dry until around 2pm local time – which is when the race starts. From around 2pm onwards there looks to be steady rain predicted throughout the rest of the day.
Of course, that could well change in the meantime, but it looks like there is a reasonable chance for another wet race.
What do we know about Suzuka?
Circuit length: 5.807km
First grand prix: 1987
Laps: 53
Race distance: 307.471km
Race lap record: 1.30.983 – Lewis Hamilton, 2019
2019 winner: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Number of corners: 18
Overtaking chances: So, so really. The best chance is into the final chicane and then maybe perhaps DRS-assisted onto the pit straight and (maybe) through the final corner. The hairpin is a place for a late lunge and into the fast double-left-hander at Spoon is a place for a really bold move.
What are the latest odds?
Max Verstappen 1/2
Charles Leclerc 7/2
Sergio Perez 10/1
Lewis Hamilton 10/1
Carlos Sainz 16/1
George Russell 26/1