Scheduling: The 2016 Japanese Grand Prix / Hong Kong ePrix

Advantage Rosberg? After a Malaysian Grand Prix full of twists and turns, the 2016 Formula One season heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix where Nico Rosberg could step one foot closer to becoming world champion.

As usual, every session is being shown live on Sky Sports F1. Qualifying is also being simulcast across Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports 1, whilst the race itself will be simulcast on Sky Sports 1. Due to the early hour, I don’t expect it to make a positive impact on the viewing figures, but it may make a small difference nevertheless.

Elsewhere, Formula E is back! The inaugural Hong Kong ePrix starts approximately 90 minutes after the chequered flag has fallen at Suzuka. That, combined with the Bathurst 1000 makes an exciting morning for race fans. Formula E hops over from ITV to Channel 5, the former bailing out of the series at the end of season two.

With it, there are a few changes: Channel 5 are taking Formula E’s World Feed coverage without any wrap-around extras. And, as covered in other fora on this site, Jack Nicholls will not be commentating on the first two rounds due to his BBC Radio 5 Live commitments. Martin Haven takes his place, commentating alongside Dario Franchitti.

As per the details posted on Channel 5’s website a few weeks ago, Formula E qualifying should be shown live on Spike TV, but schedules do not indicate that happening. If that changes, I’ll update the below as and when. There is also a special documentary airing on BBC Two this Sunday at 21:00 focussing on Sir Chris Hoy’s 24 Hours of Le Mans debut.

Channel 4 F1
Sessions
08/10 – 12:30 to 14:00 – Qualifying Highlights
09/10 – 13:30 to 15:30 – Race Highlights

Sky Sports F1
Sessions
07/10 – 01:45 to 03:50 – Practice 1
07/10 – 05:45 to 08:00 – Practice 2
08/10 – 03:45 to 05:15 – Practice 3
08/10 – 06:00 to 08:45 – Qualifying (also Sky Sports Mix and 1)
09/10 – 04:30 to 09:15 – Race (also Sky Sports 1)
=> 04:30 – Track Parade
=> 05:00 – Pit Lane Live
=> 05:30 – Race
=> 08:30 – Paddock Live

Supplementary Programming
06/10 – 07:00 to 07:30 – Driver Press Conference
06/10 – 20:45 to 21:00 – Paddock Uncut
07/10 – 08:00 to 08:30 – Team Press Conference
07/10 – 08:30 to 09:00 – The F1 Show
12/10 – 20:30 to 21:00 – F1 Report: Review

BBC Radio F1
07/10 – 01:55 to 03:35 – Practice 1 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
07/10 – 05:55 to 07:35 – Practice 2 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
07/10 – 21:30 to 22:00 – Preview (BBC Radio 5 Live)
08/10 – 03:55 to 05:05 – Practice 3 (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
08/10 – 06:55 to 08:05 – Qualifying (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
09/10 – 05:30 to 08:00 – Race (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Formula E – Hong Kong (online via Channel 5’s social media channels and YouTube)
09/10 – 00:55 to 01:55 – Practice 1
09/10 – 03:25 to 04:10 – Practice 2
09/10 – 04:45 to 06:10 – Qualifying

Formula E – Hong Kong
08/10 – 11:00 to 12:00 – Preview (Channel 5)
09/10 – 08:30 to 10:30 – Race (Channel 5)
09/10 – 11:00 to 13:00 – Replay (Spike)

Virgin Australia Supercars – Bathurst 1000 (BT Sport 1)
09/10 – 00:00 to 08:00 – Race

As always, if anything changes, I will update the schedule.