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

Few cities host an F1 grand prix quite like Sao Paulo. Races at the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace circuit — or Interlagos as it is better known — have often been drenched in drama from lights out to the chequered flag. This year could be no different, especially with the sixth and final sprint race of the season in tow.

For the third weekend in a row, the action takes place late in the day for UK viewers: Saturday’s sprint race starts at 6.30pm, followed by Sunday’s Grand Prix at 5pm.

Rewind back a year and the story was very similar to the one we find ourselves in today: Red Bull and Max Verstappen world champions again, with the performance of the trailing field slowly closing in on them as we hurtle towards the season finale.

As it often does, Interlagos produced a curveball: Kevin Magnussen took pole position for Haas, as he took advantage of wet conditions in qualifying before George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished 1-2 in the Grand Prix. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari will be hoping to upset the odds again, after showing improved pace in recent races. Oh, and rain is forecast once more for qualifying.

On a circuit that can often produce moments of mayhem, nothing can be discounted. Don’t miss a moment of the action. Here’s how to watch the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

 

F1 live stream and TV schedule 

All times in GMT

	Qualifying Friday 3 November	Sprint Saturday Saturday 4 November	Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sunday 5 November
Session start time	6pm	Sprint Shootout — 2pm Sprint race — 6.30pm	5pm
Live coverage Sky Sports, Sky Go, NowTV	5pm	Sprint Shootout — 1pm Sprint race — 5.30pm	3.30pm
Highlights Channel 4		Qualifying and Sprint — 11pm	10.35pm

 

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

An action-packed schedule awaits teams in Brazil; host of the sixth and final sprint race of the season. A sole practice session of Friday afternoon is the only opportunity for drivers to hone their set-ups before heading to Grand Prix qualifying on Friday evening. The following day is dedicated entirely to the sprint — the Shootout followed by a 23-lap race — before Sunday’s main event: the 71-lap Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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 Friday’s qualifying session and Saturday’s sprint sessions shown on Saturday evening followed by highlights of the Grand Prix on Sunday evening.

 

Sao Paulo GP circuit and details

Interlagos is rated highly highly by the current field of F1 drivers, and for good reason. The party-like atmosphere created by the fans coupled with a circuit built with overtaking in mind often makes for races filled with wheel-to-wheel battles and moments of controversy.

While battling for the lead and championship advantage in 2021, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided several times as both drivers refused to yield. One year on, they were at it again, this time coming together through the Senna Esses but the accident was one of many.

Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris crashed at Turn 7 — the Ferrari ending up in the wall — and Daniel Ricciardo collided with Kevin Magnussen, resulting in big damage on both cars and subsequent DNFs. Chaos truly lurks around (almost) every corner in Brazil.

With such a tightly contested field in 2023 where Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari are all capable of podium finishes, more closely-fought action can be expected. Two DRS zones located on the back and home straights often keep the field close together, meaning from lap one to 71, drivers are almost constantly competing — a key ingredient of a great grand prix.

The unpredictable weather of Sao Paulo can also playing a starring role, having been the deciding factor to many Brazilian triumphs of the past. A well-timed lap in Q3 helped Kevin Magnussen secure Haas’ first ever pole position in 2022, before intermittent rainfall spoiled the laps of others. 12 years earlier and in similar conditions, Nico Hülkenberg also put his Williams at the front of the pack — besting the likes of Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

With another downpour expected during grand prix qualifying this weekend, could the pair star once again? Or will brand new pole-sitters emerge?

2023 Sao Paulo GP full session times

All times in GTM

	Friday 3 November	Saturday 4 November	Sunday 5 November
F1	Free Practice 1 — 2.30pm Grand Prix qualifying — 6pm	Sprint Shootout — 2pm Sprint race — 6.30pm	Sao Paulo Grand Prix — 5pm