Home
After a brief break, Formula 1 is back in action for its third race of the 2025 season—the highly anticipated Japanese Grand Prix. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, but his teammate Lando Norris continues to lead the world championship standings, even ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen.
This weekend’s race will take place at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, featuring 53 laps around a challenging 5.807-kilometer track, totaling a race distance of 307.47 km. Here’s a comprehensive guide on where and how to watch the race, along with the complete 2025 F1 schedule.
How to Watch the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix
Date: Sunday, April 6
Time: 1:00 a.m. ET
Location: Suzuka Circuit, Japan
TV Channel: ESPN
Streaming Options: F1 TV Pro, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, ESPN+, or a VPN
Where to Watch the Japanese Grand Prix
TV Coverage: The main race will be broadcast live on ESPN, with additional features on ESPN+. This season, ESPN+ provides alternate viewing experiences, including an Onboard Cameras Channel for real-time insights from select drivers and a Driver Tracker that maps each racer’s position throughout the event.
F1 TV Pro: For dedicated F1 fans, an F1 TV Pro subscription offers live streaming of every race, including practices, qualifying rounds, pre-race analysis, post-race breakdowns, documentaries, and exclusive F1 content. The service is available for $11.99 per month or $85 for the full season.
Streaming Services:
- Hulu + Live TV – Includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC coverage.
- DirecTV Stream – Provides live F1 action with ESPN channels.
- FuboTV – Offers ESPN’s complete F1 programming.
Using a VPN to Stream the Race for Free: If you’re looking for alternative ways to watch the Grand Prix without ESPN, a VPN can help. By changing your location to Belgium, you can access RTBF’s free livestream or switch to Austria to watch the race on ServusTV. ExpressVPN is a top choice for seamless streaming and ensures your privacy while accessing international sports content.
2025 Japanese Grand Prix Weekend Schedule (All times in ET)
Thursday, April 3:
- Practice 1: 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Friday, April 4:
- Practice 2: 2:00 - 3:00 a.m.
- Practice 3: 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 5:
- Qualifying: 2:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 6:
- Race: 1:00 a.m. (Live on ESPN, with alternate viewing options on ESPN+)
How to Watch the Full 2025 F1 Season
Formula 1 fans have multiple ways to follow every moment of the 2025 season:
- F1 TV Pro – The official F1 streaming service provides live races, replays, and exclusive analysis.
- ESPN+ – Offers select alternative race coverage, including driver-specific cameras and live tracking.
- Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV – All include ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC for full F1 coverage.
- VPN Streaming – Watch free international streams from Belgium (RTBF) or Austria (ServusTV) by using a VPN like ExpressVPN.
