The 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix is all set to commence on Friday, March 27, as we enter the third race week of the new season already. The race will be held at the iconic Suzuka Circuit as fans await to see how the new-regulation cars perform at the legendary track. But like many occasions in the past, could weather play a part in proceedings in Japan? Let’s discover the weather forecast for the weekend.

Last season’s Japanese GP was won by Max Verstappen, who took the win from pole position, marking his first win of the 2025 season. He was joined on the podium by McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, setting the tone for the rest of last year.

After the sprint weekend in China in the last round, normalcy will be resumed in Japan again with a conventional race weekend. But with the teams still in the beginning stages of the new regulations era, chaos is almost certain again.

The weather in Japan could also add uncertainty, with Suzuka having a history of rain-affected races that have produced some incredible moments. So, let’s take a look at what the weather forecast has in store for the weekend in Suzuka.

Weather Forecast for the 2026 F1 Japanese GP

The weather forecast for Suzuka during the 2026 F1 Japanese GP weekend is as follows:

Friday, March 27 (Free Practice 1 & 2)

• Maximum Temperature: 66°F (19°C)
• Minimum Temperature: 48°F (9°C)
• Forecast: Partly Cloudy.
• Chance of Rain: 3%
• Winds: 10 to 15 km/h in the afternoon.

Saturday, March 28 (FP3 & Qualifying)

• Maximum Temperature: 70°F (21°C)
• Minimum Temperature: 41°F (5°C)
• Forecast: Showers in the afternoon.
• Chance of Rain: 65%
• Winds: 10 to 15 km/h in the afternoon.

Sunday, March 29 (Race)

• Maximum Temperature: 68°F (20°C)
• Minimum Temperature: 48°F (9°C)
• Forecast: Cloudy and cool conditions.
• Chance of Rain: 0%
• Winds: 10 to 15 km/h.

FIA reportedly looking to bring the ADUO window ahead after changes to the 2026 F1 calendar

GPBlog has reported that the FIA is considering a tweak to the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system (ADUO) to ensure chasing F1 engine manufacturers can access performance support earlier under the 2026 regulations. The cancellation of two April races has complicated the timing of the first ADUO window.

The ADUO system allows underperforming power unit suppliers extra development freedom if they fall behind set thresholds in the early stages of the new regulations era. The mechanism is designed to prevent a repeat of one-sided dominance seen in previous eras, like with Mercedes in 2014.

However, the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has disrupted the original evaluation timeline. The first assessment was initially set after the sixth race of the year in Miami, but was eventually projected to be delayed until after Monaco due to the cancellations.

This delay has raised concerns that lagging manufacturers would have to wait longer for regulatory assistance, potentially allowing Mercedes to extend its early advantage. To address this, the FIA is reportedly exploring options to bring the evaluation forward with discussions ongoing involving F1 engine suppliers and teams.