Suzuka week set — schedule live
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka runs March 27–29 — full practice, qualifying and race start times are published for international audiences as the circuit returns in cherry-blossom season ( ). Cadillac’s F1 project also reported momentum: after an Australia DNF, Valtteri Bottas finished 13th in China and the team says it’s optimistic ahead of Suzuka (motorsport.com).
Pirelli has nominated the hardest allocation for Suzuka this weekend — C1, C2 and C3 — rather than softer compounds used at some other early rounds. (press.pirelli.com) The tyre supplier is also fielding all five slick compounds across the opening races to collect comparative data under the new 2026 rubber programme. (press.pirelli.com) The Japanese Grand Prix will run 53 laps of Suzuka’s 5.807‑kilometre layout for a race distance of 307.471 kilometres. (formula1.com) Suzuka is not scheduled as a Sprint venue on the 2026 Sprint calendar, so the weekend follows the standard three‑practice, qualifying and Sunday Grand Prix format. (fia.com) Official forecasts published ahead of the weekend indicate cool, mostly dry conditions with daytime highs around 18°C and light winds over Friday–Sunday. (formula1.com) Cadillac logged its first double‑car finish in Shanghai, with Valtteri Bottas classified 13th and Sergio Pérez 15th, according to the team’s official race report. (cadillacf1team.com) Bottas described the result as a proud moment after a Lap‑1 incident threatened his race, and the outfit says the Shanghai weekend proved a reliability milestone as it races to bring upgrades each round. (pitdebrief.com) Cadillac has publicly committed to regular upgrades and a step‑by‑step development plan with a target of scoring championship points by the summer, a timeline voiced by team sources and drivers. (motorsport.com) Suzuka’s high‑speed S‑Curves and 130R will provide a clear test of those updates and tyre management — the circuit is singled out as one of the most demanding on rubber, amplifying the value of any performance gains. (formula1.com)
