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

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.

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.

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.