F1 live stream: Japanese Grand Prix start time, TV schedule, and how to watch online

The 2017 F1 Japanese Grand Prix is just about here, and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes has pole position and a solid chance to pick up full points once again. The race will begin either very late Saturday or very early Sunday — however you want to see it. Specifically, it gets underway at 1 a.m. ET on Sunday, and will be broadcast by NBCSN in the United States.

Online streaming of the race can be had for free in the United States by visiting NBC Sports in your web browser or using the NBC Sports app on various connected devices.

Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas qualified in the top two spots, though a gearbox change for his the latter has him starting sixth on the grid. Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, the man closest to Hamilton in the Drivers Championship, will start alongside Hamilton.

Vettel was the only non-Mercedes driver to post a lap time under 1:28.000. His teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, crashed in practice and he had a tough qualifying session, finishing sixth, behind both Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and the last race’s winner, Max Verstappen.

“I made a mistake today, we had to change the gearbox and obviously was far from ideal to prepare for qualifying,” Raikkonen said after his practice crash. “Especially after yesterday’s little running on the track.”

Raikkonen will start in 10th on the grid due to his own five-place penalty.

“Obviously it’s not an ideal starting position but we should have a good car so we’ll see what happens,” Raikkonen said.

As far as penalties are concerned, Bottas and Raikkonen were given five-place penalties for gearbox changes. Jolyon Palmer of Renault and Carlos Sainz Jr. of Toro Rosso were both given 20-place penalties for power unit changes. Finally, Fernando Alonso of McLaren was given a 35-place penalty for his own power unit changes.

Of those drivers, Bottas qualified in second, Raikkonen in sixth, Palmer in 14th, Sainz in 15th, and Alonso in 10th. But on the starting grid after penalties, Bottas will start sixth, Raikkonen 10th, Palmer 18th, Sainz 19th, and Alonso in 20th at the back of the pack.

Renault fans will have to use this race to say goodbye to Palmer, who is being replaced after the Japanese Grand Prix. It was previously announced that Renault, Toro Rosso, McLaren and Red Bull were all involved in engine deals that ultimately would result in Carlos Sainz Jr. leaving Toro Rosso for Renault in 2018.

Instead, Sainz will be replacing Palmer at Renault for the United States Grand Prix, so this is Palmer’s last shot to make an impression and bid for a seat next year. Pierre Gasly will remain with Toro Rosso after he replaced Daniil Kvyat two races ago. Kvyat will be returning to Toro Rosso after Sainz leaves.

Below is all you need to know to watch the action on Sunday as well as the full lineup and starting grid for the grand prix.

Date: Oct. 8, 2017

Location: Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka, Japan

Time: 1 a.m. ET

TV: NBCSN

Online Streaming: NBC Sports Live