Why Sky Sports will not broadcast entire show from the paddock in Japan

Sky Sports F1's coverage of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix will again be different to normal. Sky has had the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United Kingdom since 2012 and will continue to broadcast the races exclusively until at least 2029. F1 had 'just' 20 races in 2012 (which dipped to 19 in 2013, 2014 and 2015), but now there are 24 races scheduled, so Sky are changing their plans.

Fear not. Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the entire 2024 Japanese Grand Prix weekend. They will cover all the action during the 2024 Formula 1 season for viewers in the United Kingdom, so fans won't miss anything. GPblog will also provide a live blog with updates throughout each day. 

Why Sky Sports F1's coverage will look completely different in Suzuka

Sky regularly field a team of eight in the paddock, but that will be reduced to four this weekend. The 'core presenting team' will be in Sky Sports' new studio, which is surrounded by high-resolution screens and immersive AR graphics. The addition of ambitious AR graphics creates an immersive space, with a modern, mixed reality lighting set up above and a “fourth wall” that conceals camera positions to create a 360-degree filming environment.

Pioneering sporting analysis is made possible with an enhanced touchscreen and a massive LED floor that gives the presenters a huge canvas to guide viewers around the track and run through the qualifying grid. Sky used this studio for the weekend in Australia. It will also be used for the weekends in Japan and China. Sky Sports will return to the paddock in their usual format for the Miami Grand Prix in May.

What is the Sky Sports F1 broadcast schedule for the Japanese Grand Prix?

Sky Sports F1 will broadcast every single F1 session during the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix weekend. This starts with Friday’s free practice 1 session. Sky Sports will go live at 3am UK time, providing a 30-minute build-up to the first practice session of the weekend. They will continue to broadcast until 4:45am.

The Sky F1 team will return at 6:45am for a 15-minute build-up to FP2. They will continue to broadcast for 15 minutes after the chequered flag to get the early reactions from the drivers and team bosses. The F1 show will then take place.

Sky Sports F1 returns on Saturday at 3:15am for a 15-minute build-up to FP3. They will continue to broadcast for 15 minutes after. They return at 6:00am for a 60-minute build-up to qualifying. Sky Sports F1 will continue to broadcast for one hour after qualifying. Ted's Notebook will then summarise the qualifying session, which starts at 9am and lasts 30 minutes. 

Sky Sports F1 return on Sunday for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix. Coverage will start at 5:00am, and they will stay live until 9am. Ted's Notebook will then summarise the Japanese Grand Prix, which starts at 9pm and lasts 30 minutes. To see the full Grand Prix schedule, click here.

Will Sky Sports F1 broadcast F2 and F3 this weekend?

F2 and F3 will not travel to Japan for an event. The F1 Academy doesn't take place this weekend either.

Who will be on the Sky Sports F1 team in Japan?

Ted Kravitz will be present in Japan. He will be joined by David Croft, Anthony Davidson and Rachel Brookes. Bernie Collins, Damon Hill and Natalie Pinkham will be reporting from Sky's studio in London.

How can you watch Sky Sports F1?

Sky Sports F1 is available in the United Kingdom. You can purchase the channel through a package offered by Sky themselves. You can also buy a package which includes Sky Sports F1 on Virgin Media TV. You can add Sky Sports F1 if you are with BT TV. You can stream Sky Sports F1 online via NOW TV, where you can purchase a monthly package.

How can you watch the Japanese Grand Prix weekend without Sky Sports F1?

If you are located in the United Kingdom, you can't watch the Japanese Grand Prix without paying for Sky Sports F1. For fans outside of the UK, the Japanese Grand Prix will be shown on F1TV Pro in most countries worldwide. Sky have the rights to broadcast Sky Sports F1 in Germany, Italy and others. ViaPlay have the rights to broadcast F1 in some locations worldwide, including The Netherlands.