Japanese Grand Prix 2024 — Weekend Preview

Round 4 of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Suzuka, Japan. Japanese Grand Prix — The Driver's Circuit. Max Verstappen leads the championship with 51 points, 4 points ahead of Charles Leclerc.

Driver Championship (entering R4):
P1: Max Verstappen — 51 pts (2W, 2P)
P2: Charles Leclerc — 47 pts (0W, 2P)
P3: Sergio Perez — 46 pts (0W, 2P)
P4: Carlos Sainz — 40 pts (1W, 2P)
P5: Oscar Piastri — 28 pts (0W, 0P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: Red Bull Racing — 97 pts
P2: Ferrari — 93 pts
P3: McLaren — 55 pts
P4: Mercedes — 26 pts
P5: Aston Martin — 25 pts

Suzuka is technically demanding, steeped in motorsport history.

Recent winners at Suzuka:
- 2026: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2025: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2024: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Tyre strategy data will be available after practice sessions provide degradation information.

Battles to watch:

Championship battle: Max Verstappen vs Charles Leclerc — 4 points separate them.

P3 vs P4: Sergio Perez (46) vs Carlos Sainz (40) — just 6 points apart.
P4 vs P5: Carlos Sainz (40) vs Oscar Piastri (28) — just 12 points apart.
P5 vs P6: Oscar Piastri (28) vs Lando Norris (27) — just 1 points apart.

Understand this race better:

- [Downforce](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/downforce)
- [Aero Balance](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/aero-balance)