The run of consecutive Grand Prix victories may have come to a screeching stop, but Max Verstappen is still within braking distance of a third straight Drivers' Championship. A win this weekend in Suzuka – where he wrapped up the title last year – would take him almost all the way there. And he'll start from the very front of the pack.
We'll explain in this article how to watch Japanese Grand Prix live streams from anywhere with a VPN, and where it's possible to watch for FREE.
The 2023 F1 Japanese Grand Prix starts at 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT (Saturday) / 8 a.m. BST / 3 p.m. AEST on Sunday, September 24.
• FREE LIVE STREAM — ORF (Austria) / RTL Zwee (Lux)
• U.K. — Watch on Sky Sports or Now
• U.S. — Watch on ESPN via Sling or Fubo
• Watch anywhere — Try ExpressVPN 100% risk free
Don't forget to set your alarm for some unusual session start times this weekend. The lights out for the Japanese Grand Prix itself is at 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT (Saturday night) / 6 a.m. BST / 3 p.m. AEST this Sunday.
It's the mark of a true champion that Verstappen was so angry with a qualifying performance that left him starting the Singapore Grand Prix last week from 11th on the grid. He's bounced back in style at Suzuka, though, putting on his game face to ease to the best time in both Friday practices and then to pole position. McLaren have been the other star turn this weekend, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris starting at two and three on the grid.
Singapore was, instead, a lesser spotted success story for Ferrari. They dominated practice, Carlos Sainz secured pole position and then the top of the podium for only his second ever G.P. win. The legendary Italian constructor will be desperate to build on that success with a strong last few races before mounting a proper title assault in 2024. Sainz and Charles Leclerc took second spot in Practice 1 and Practice 2 respectively.
Other than Verstappen lifting the trophy, last year's Japanese Grand Prix will probably be best remembered for the torrential rain that eventually resulted in the race length being slashed from 53 laps to 28. Rain is in the air again right, but the forecast is uninterrupted sunshine for Sunday.
Read on for details about how to watch, and don't forget to check out our full 2023 F1 live streams hub for more information including the full schedule for the season.
FREE Japanese Grand Prix live streams
How to watch the 2023 F1 Japanese Grand Prix live stream for FREE
Formula 1 fans in in Austria and Luxembourg are among the luckiest in the world, as they get to watch Japanese Grand Prix live streams for FREE.
Both countries show F1 live streams on free-to-air TV. It's RTL Zwee in Luxembourg, while in Austria its ORF and ServusTV stations are sharing the coverage — this weekend for the Japanese G.P. it's the turn of ORF.
Streaming those services will be blocked from abroad. And if you're a resident of either of those countries but are overseas while the Japanese Grand Prix is taking place, we suspect you won't want to shell out again on a streaming service subscription for the duration of your holiday or business trip.
That's where downloading a VPN (virtual private network) could be a great choice, as — using the steps below — they let you watch your F1 live stream as if you were back at home.
The world's best VPN service has to be the ever-reliable ExpressVPN:
It's really ease to setup and use a VPN:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. Our in-depth testing puts ExpressVPN at the top of the podium.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. So if you're travelling to the U.S. but want to watch your usual Austrian stream, simply select an Austrian server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to ORF or another website and watch every high-octane second.
2023 Japanese Grand Prix live streams around the world
How to watch the F1 Japan Grand Prix live stream in the U.S.
ESPN is the destination to watch the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, with coverage spread across ESPNEWS (practice 1), ESPNU (practice 3) and ESPN2 for practice 2, qualifying and the race itself. Unlike some races on the F1 calendar, this one won't be shown on ABC or ESPN Plus.
ESPN channels are widely available through cable packages, via the best TV antennas or through streaming services such as Sling TV, Fubo.TV, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.
Perhaps the most affordable way to do so is via Sling Orange . Its standard price is $40/month, but there's pretty much always an introductory offer like half-price for the first month.
If you do have cable with ESPN, you also have the option to watch F1 action via the ESPN app or the Watch section of ESPN's website. You'll just be asked for your satellite, cable or live TV provider details at the outset.
Or if all you're interested in is the F1 and you really don't want to pay extra for TV channels you won't watch, then you can also opt for F1 TV Pro. F1's own official live stream service is yours for just $9.99/month or $79.99 for the whole season
F1 TV Pro is available to watch via smartphone app, web browser, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV and Fire TV. And, in addition to Formula 1, you also get access to F2, F3 and Porsche Supercup live streams, together with exclusive F1 shows, archive and documentaries.
And remember, if you're usually based in the U.S. but aren't there at the moment, you can still watch the services you already subscribe to via a VPN such as ExpressVPN — meaning you can view the F1 Japanese Grand Prix live stream from anywhere in the world.
How to watch the 2023 F1 Japan Grand Prix live stream in the U.K.
Sky Sports has long been the home of Formula 1, with its dedicated F1 channel hosting all the weekend's action. Fans in the U.K. only have their home GP available to watch for free on Channel 4.
So you'll need Sky Sports F1 to watch F1 live streams from Japan. It's included in the full Sky Sports package, that can be added to any regular Sky plan and also includes the provider's Premier League, cricket, golf and racing channels.
Assuming you have the necessary Sky box and television, all the F1 action is available to watch in ultra high-definition 4K. And you can watch on the go, to, with its Sky Go app for smartphones, tablets and a selection of streaming devices.
If you don't wish to shell out for a full Sky package, then you could always go for a Now Sports Pass , which features the full suite of Sky Sports channels and is available for £34.99/month or £11.98/day. Just don't expect 4K coverage, as it's not available on Now.
Based in the U.K. but outside the country this weekend? You'll be able to watch on your usual subscription service by using one of the best VPN services.
How to watch the 2023 F1 Japanese Grand Prix live stream in Canada
TSN has the rights to show Formula 1 live streams in Canada, including the Japan Grand Prix.
TSN4 and TSN5 are showing the practice sessions, qualifying and the race. So if you already get TSN through your cable provider, you'll be able to watch on TV or through its TSN Go app.
If you don't have cable, then you could go for TSN+ instead, which lets you get access to all TSN has to offer on an $8/month or $80/year subscription basis. Or for pure petrol heads, you could alternatively go for F1 TV Pro as described in the U.S.A. section above.
Not in Canada at the moment? Signing up to ExpressVPN will help you access your streaming service while overseas.
How to watch the 2023 F1 Japanese Grand Prix live stream in Australia
Fox Sports has bagged the F1 rights Down Under, so you'll need to tune into Fox Sports 506 on your Foxtel plan.
Don't have Foxtel? Kayo Sports may be a better shout for you, with its affordable, commitment-free plans. Signing up for one month costs as little as just $25, with a whole host of cricket, AFL, rugby and loads of other live sports to enjoy outside of motor racing. And you can give it a try before you buy, too, thanks to the FREE Kayo 7-day trial (coming to an end on September 25).
If you want to catch your Foxtel or Kayo F1 live stream when away from Australia, you can use one of the best VPNs to watch as if you were back at home.
F1 Japan Grand Prix schedule
2023 F1 Japanese Grand Prix live stream: Practice, qualifying and race weekend schedule
The Japanese Grand Prix weekend begins Friday (Sept. 22), with practice 1 and 2. Practice 3 and qualifying are on Saturday (Sept. 23), and the race is on Sunday (Sept. 24).
Friday, Sept 22
Practice 1
- 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET (Thursday)
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT (Thursday)
- 3:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. BST
- 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. AEST
Practice 2
- 2 a.m. - 3 a.m. ET
- 11 p.m. - 12 a.m. PT (Thursday)
- 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. BST
- 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. AEST
Saturday, Sept 23
Practice 3
- 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET (Friday)
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PT (Friday)
- 3:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. BST
- 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. AEST
Qualifying
- 2 a.m. - 3 a.m. ET
- 11 p.m. - 12 a.m. PT (Friday)
- 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. BST
- 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. AEST
Sunday, Sept 24
Japan Grand Prix 2023
- 1 a.m. ET
- 10 p.m. PT (Saturday)
- 6 a.m. BST
- 3 p.m. AEST
F1 2023 car and driver line-ups
| Team | Driver 1 | Driver 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen | Sergio Perez |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc | Carlos Sainz |
| Mercedes | Lewis Hamilton | George Russell |
| Alpine | Esteban Ocon | Pierre Gasly |
| McLaren | Lando Norris | Oscar Piastri |
| Aston Martin | Fernando Alonso | Lance Stroll |
| Alfa Romeo | Valtteri Bottas | Guanyu Zhou |
| Alpha Tauri | Yuki Tsunoda | Liam Lawson |
| Haas | Kevin Magnussen | Nico Hulkenberg |
| Williams | Alex Albon | Logan Sargeant |
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