Max Verstappen will start the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix from pole position as he looks to claim a second successive world championship title.
It was a dominant qualifying performance from the Dutchman, with F1 returning to Japan and the Suzuka Circuit for the first time since 2019.
Ferrari, however, will be out to spoil the party, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz starting from second and third on the grid.
The Sporting News will keep you updated on all the race action via our live blog below.
MORE: How can Verstappen be crowned F1 world champion at the Japanese Grand Prix?
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2022 live top 10 leaderboard
Lap 2
| POSITION | DRIVER |
| 1 | Max Verstappen |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc |
| 3 | Sergio Perez |
| 4 | Esteban Ocon |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso |
| 7 | George Russell |
| 8 | Daniel Ricciardo |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda |
| 10 | Mick Schumacher |
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2022 live updates, highlights from the Suzuka Circuit
RED FLAG: The race has been red-flagged on Lap 2 after a string of incidents, with the rain intensity also increasing.
Cars have made their way to pit lane.
LIGHTS OUT: A chaotic opening lap and the safety car is out!
It was difficult to see much of the action with the huge amount of spray, but Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc got into an exciting tussle for the lead.
Leclerc appeared to have the advantage heading into the first turn but Verstappen managed to keep ahead.
In the middle of the pack, Sebastian Vettel collided with Fernando Alonso and sustained some damage.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz aquaplaned later in the lap, causing him to slam into a barrier which ends his race.
Alex Albon has also DNF’d, with his Williams appearing to have an engine failure.
Other impacted drivers on that lap include Guanyu Zhou (who spun on-track) and Pierre Gasly (who had a Rolex advertising board land on his front wing after Sainz’s crash).
5 mins to lights out: The formation lap is underway at a very drizzly and overcast Suzuka Circuit.
Most teams have opted for intermediate tires, and there is a lot of spray as the cars set off.
Could be an eventful race…
15 mins to lights out: The drivers are on the grid and it’s now time for the singing of the Japanese national anthem.
There is every indication that the race will begin as normal, with no rolling start.
30 mins to lights out: Home crowd favourite Yuki Tsunoda is the only Japanese driver on today’s grid.
He’ll start the race from 13th, whilst his Alpha Tauri teammate Pierre Gasly will begin from pit lane after his rear wing and front wing ballast were changed following qualifying.
40 mins to lights out: Rain continues to fall at the track and according to the local weather forecast, it isn’t set to stop any time soon.
It doesn’t appear too heavy, so here’s hoping we can avoid a delayed start like in Singapore last week.
Intermediates appear to be the tire of choice as the cars head out on track.
50 mins to lights out: Sebastian Vettel will race for the last time at Suzuka as an F1 driver today.
Exactly 11 years ago he secured the second of his four world championships on this very track.
A good omen for Verstappen…?
🗓 #OnThisDay 11 years ago
A sweet moment for Seb at Suzuka 🇯🇵#JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aNF4PDpMIw
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 9, 2022
1 hour to lights out: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the 2022 edition of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Plenty of eyes will be on Max Verstappen as he looks to become a two-time world champion.
F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2022 starting grid
| POSITION | DRIVER | TEAM |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 5 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine |
| 8 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 9 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin |
| 10 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 11 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren |
| 12 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo |
| 13 | Yuki Tsunoda | Alpha Tauri |
| 14 | Guanyu Zhou | Alfa Romeo |
| 15 | Mick Schumacher | Haas |
| 16 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 17 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 19 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams |
| Pit lane | Pierre Gasly | Alpha Tauri |
What must Max Verstappen do to be crowned F1 world champion at the Japanese Grand Prix?
There are several ways in which Red Bull’s Verstappen could claim his second successive world championship victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The most simple would be if he won the race and took the extra point for fastest lap along the way. That would see the Dutchman crowned world champion regardless of where his title rivals finish.
Verstappen could also be crowned champion if he finishes first, doesn’t record the fastest lap but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishes lower than P2.
Equally, if either Leclerc or teammate Sergio Perez finish ahead of him, Verstappen cannot be crowned champion in Japan.
The other complicated permutations can be viewed here.
What channel is the F1 race on?
- Race: Japanese Grand Prix
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 9
- Start time: 1 a.m. ET (2 p.m. local time)
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: fuboTV
The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2022 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports’ feed, with select races airing on ABC. You can also stream Formula 1 races live in the U.S. with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2022 F1 races in the U.S.
Formula 1 live stream for the Japanese Grand Prix
For those who don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, five major OTT TV streaming options carry the ESPN networks — fuboTV, Sling, Hulu, YouTubeTV and DirecTV Stream.
For those who do have a cable or satellite subscription but won’t be in front of a TV, Formula 1 races in 2022 can be streamed live via phones, tablets and other devices on the ESPN app with authentication.
How to watch F1 in the United States
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: fuboTV
The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2022 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports’ feed, with select races airing on ABC. You can also stream Formula 1 races live in the U.S. with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2022 F1 races in the U.S.
How to watch F1 in Canada
- TV channel: TSN (English); RDS (French)
- Live stream: TSN Direct
For fans in Canada, TSN will carry the English-language telecast of races. For those looking for the French-language broadcast, RDS will have you covered.
Races can also be streamed via TSN’s streaming service, TSN Direct.
How to watch F1 in the UK
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: NOW TV
Viewers in the United Kingdom can catch all F1 action on Sky Sports F1, the dedicated F1 channel. For viewers planning to live stream F1 in 2022, you can purchase a Sky Sports Pass on NOW TV.
How to watch F1 in Australia
- TV channel: Fox Sports; Channel 10
- Live stream: Kayo
Fox Sports will carry all races in Australia, with Channel 10 broadcasting the Australian GP.
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