Heading: F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Preview and Schedule

The F1 Japanese Grand Prix weekend got off to an eventful start with Max Verstappen leading a Red Bull 1-2 in the opening practice session. However, the session was red-flagged midway through due to a heavy crash by Logan Sargeant, which ruled him out of FP2 as his Williams car was being repaired.

The damp conditions in the second practice meant that no representative running in the dry or wet was possible, resulting in limited track time for all the drivers. Despite this, Oscar Piastri managed to top the session with a late lap on the softs, beating out Lewis Hamilton.

With track time limited, all eyes will now be on final practice on Saturday to nail the set-up ahead of qualifying and the race at Suzuka. Qualifying for the Japanese GP is set to start at 3pm local time (7am BST) using the regular Q1, Q2, and Q3 knockout session format.

In the United Kingdom, Formula 1 fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying coverage starting at 6:00am BST on Saturday. Channel 4 will also be broadcasting highlights of qualifying at 11:10am BST on Saturday morning, covering the major talking points of the race weekend so far.

For those on the go, live radio coverage of Japanese GP qualifying will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, or via the BBC Sport website. The weather forecast for qualifying in Suzuka predicts cloudy and mild conditions with a small chance of rain and low winds.

As the drivers gear up for the crucial qualifying session, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of racing at the F1 Japanese Grand Prix. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and results from Suzuka.