How to watch 2023 Qatar Grand Prix: start time, F1 live stream and TV schedule

F1

Watch F1 via live stream or on TV: dates and start time for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix from Losail, including qualifying, the sprint and the grand prix

2021 Qatar Grand Prix start

F1 first visited Qatar in 2021

Grand Prix Photo

After a year-long hiatus, Formula 1 returns to Qatar in 2023 with the headlines set to be stolen by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. They stand on the brink of securing a third consecutive drivers’ world title and UK viewers can watch it live in a prime evening slot.

Sergio Perez is technically the only other driver still in contention: a distant 177 points behind his Red Bull team-mate. But the Dutchman could wrap up a near-perfect season for the Milton Keynes marque — which captured its sixth constructors’ crown in Japan — as early as Saturday evening, only needing a sixth-place finish during the weekend’s sprint race to secure the three points necessary.

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It’s a feat that could be relatively simple, given that the high-speed and low-downforce nature of the Losail International Circuit should suit the characteristics of the RB19 perfectly, and a 16th race win of the season looks almost inevitable. But there will be 18 cars in the trailing field, vying to make Verstappen wait.

Among them, McLaren‘s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be hoping to replicate their double-podium success at Suzuka. Sole Qatar Grand Prix race winner Lewis Hamilton will also be hoping to end his 672-day wait for another trip to the top step of the podium, though he could have his hands full in battling Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as Mercedes fights for second in the constructors’ championship.

With just six races remaining in the 2023 campaign, every result is critical and you can’t afford to miss one second of the action. Here’s how to watch the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, including start time, F1 live stream and the TV schedule.

 

F1 live stream and TV schedule 

All times in BST

Qualifying
Friday 6 October
Sprint
Saturday 7 October
Qatar Grand Prix
Sunday 8 October
Session start time 6pm Sprint Shootout — 2pm
Sprint race — 6.30pm
6pm
Live coverage
Sky Sports, Sky Go, NowTV
5pm Sprint Shootout — 1.30pm
Sprint race — 5.30pm
4.30pm
Highlights
Channel 4
Qualifying and sprint — 9.35pm 11pm

 

How to watch F1: live stream and TV details for 2023 Qatar Grand Prix

Host to the fourth of six sprint races this season, Qatar will adopt the new sprint weekend format, which offers competitive action every day. The schedule is built around late running to avoid the daytime heat, which means that both sprint race and Grand Prix take place in the early evening for UK viewers.

The weekend begins with one practice session on Friday, followed by qualifying for the grand prix. Sprint qualifying takes place ahead of the race on Saturday and the weekend concludes with a 57-lap Grand Prix on Sunday.

Live TV: All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 starting with Free Practice 1 on Friday at 2.30pm.

Live stream: Sky Sports F1 subscribers in the UK can watch all the running live on the Sky Go app. Now TV subscribers can also see live coverage of every session via Sky Sports F1. Live timings are available through the F1 app.

Highlights: Channel 4 will show highlights of the weekend, with action from both qualifying sessions and the sprint on Saturday night. Qatar highlights will then be shown on Sunday evening.

 

Qatar GP circuit and details

Originally built as a MotoGP venue in 2004, the Losail International Circuit is quite obviously intended for racing on two wheels instead of four. The series of 16 high-speed corners require only a few moments of heavy braking and leave very little room for overtaking — forcing the emphasis upon a great qualifying session.

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Max Verstappen looks likely to win the 2023 F1 championship at the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race this weekend thanks to his 177-point lead. Here's when and where he's likely to secure the title — and who has a (slim) chance of challenging him

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In 2021, polesitter Hamilton set the circuit alight, lapping over six-tenths quicker than title rival Verstappen and then team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Although naturally quick throughout the rest of the circuit, the majority of the Briton’s advantage was gained in Sector 3, which begins with three top-speed left-hand corners taken flat out at over 170mph.

Come race day, Hamilton was left to cruise at the front as the field squabbled behind him — the majority of overtakes performed at the end of the DRS-assisted main straight into Turn 1. With the rear-wing open, cars will reach speeds approaching 200mph.

Fernando Alonso leads a line of cars at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix

Battles throughout the field could make for an exciting race weekend

Alpine

If drivers couldn’t get their move done there, the Turn 6 hairpin provided an obvious final chance before re-entering another slalom of rapid turns — cars diving down the inside of one another in an attempt to get ahead.

Set in the desert, the Qatar Grand Prix should be free of any wet weather, with drivers and teams instead concerned with the often overwhelming heat and humidity — track temperatures set to spike to over 30°C even at night.

Losail 1868
Losail - Circuit

Select a year

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.343 (Miles)

Change

Pitlane entrance modified

Fastest Race Lap

Lando Norris (McLaren MCL38-Mercedes-Benz), 1m22.384, 146.082 mph, F1, 2024

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Max Verstappen (Red Bull RB20-Honda RBPT), 1m20.520, 149.464 mph, F1, 2024

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2023 Qatar GP full session times

All times in BST 

Friday 6 October Saturday 7 October Sunday 8 October
F1 Free Practice 1 – 2.30pm
Grand Prix qualifying – 6pm
Sprint Shootout – 2pm
Sprint – 6.30pm
Qatar Grand Prix – 6pm