How to watch the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix: start time, live stream and TV schedule

A full grid of F1 cars launching off the line in Monte Carlo will always be a spectacular sight, but if there’s one session to watch at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, it’s the most intense, nail-biting qualifying session of the year.

The narrow circuit offers time gains to drivers who can skim the barriers with barely millimetres to spare — dancing on the thin line between glory and disaster. The pressure is ramped up by the knowledge that race day brings few overtaking opportunities, so there’s rarely a chance to recover from a low grid slot.

As ever, there will be live coverage of each session with David Croft back in the Sky commentary box, after taking a scheduled break for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Viewers can also make a full weekend of it by switching to the Indy 500 after Sunday’s race.

Following a McLaren victory in Miami, followed by a close run race at Imola where Lando Norris narrowly missed out on a second consecutive victory, the different demands of Monte Carlo should show whetehr McLaren — or Ferrari — can sustain the challenge to Red Bull.

Verstappen will enter the principality as an overwhelming favourite, after claiming eight consecutive pole positions to start the 2024 season — tying him with Ayrton Senna‘s all-time record. But with the resurgent Norris and hometown hero Charles Leclerc hoping to cause an upset, qualifying could prove electrifying, especially if scattered showers forecast early in the week, materialise.

Before then come the practice sessions, which are worth tuning in for; watching drivers acclimatise to F1’s original street circuit with no room for error is compelling stuff.

 

Monaco Grand Prix live stream and TV schedule 

All times in BST

	F1 qualifying	Monaco Grand Prix
Session start time	3pm	2pm
Live coverage Sky Sports, Sky Go, NowTV	2.45pm	12.30pm
Highlights Channel 4	6.50pm	6.30pm

 

How to watch F1: live stream and TV details for 2024 Monaco Grand Prix

Each minute of every F1 session will be broadcast live in the UK, for paying subscribers only.

Live TV: All on-track sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 starting with Free Practice 1 starting on Friday at 12.30pm. Subscribers also have access to onboard streams from each of the 20 cars, including radio messages, allowing them to follow a favourite driver on their phone while watching the main feed on TV. The onboard streams are also available on TV, as is a ‘Battle Channel’ offering split-screen coverage of the best fights for position.

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. It also offers onboard views of each driver through in-app bonus streams for monthly subscribers. These can be viewed concurrently with the main stream on a separate screen.

Live timings are available through the F1 app.

Highlights: Channel 4 will show highlights of the weekend, with action from qualifying and the Grand Prix available to watch on the corresponding days of each event.

 

Monaco circuit and details

Part of F1 history since its first world championship grand prix in 1950, the Monte-Carlo circuit remains remarkably similar to its original form. The 2024 layout contains 19 corners and a single DRS detection zone, woven through Monaco’s beachfront and harbour.

Most of the on-track drama will probably play out in qualifying, but drivers will still have 78 laps on race day to try and move up the order – a task made almost impossible by the circuit’s narrow width — just 9m at points.

The DRS-assisted pit straight can occasionally allow for drivers to run wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1 at Sainte Devote, before they then climb uphill toward Casino Square. Although with barely enough room for cars to run side-by-side on the racing line, defending can often be simple — unless drivers can unleash a surprise attack.

The ultra-slow Turn 6 Loews hairpin can sometimes provide an opportunity for one car to slip down the inside of another, as Leclerc showcased on several occasions in 2019. But drivers will often wait for the Nouvelle Chicane at Turn 10, where, following a blast through the legendary Monaco tunnel, they’ll aim to be late on the brakes while sliding between their rival ahead and some unforgiving armco. Such a move can make for a dazzling display of bravery or control, but can equally lead to race-ending destruction.

What’s the weather in Monaco this weekend?

Scattered showers are forecast to fall on Friday and Saturday at the Monaco GP, which could make for a mixed running order ahead of Sunday’s race when conditions are predicted to be optimal: with on-track temperatures of 23°C and low winds predicted.

2024 Monaco Grand Prix full session times

All times in BST

	Friday 24 May	Saturday 25 May	Sunday 26 May
F1	Free Practice 1 — 12.30pm Free Practice 2 — 4pm	Free Practice 3 — 11.30pm GP Qualifying — 3pm	Monaco GP — 2pm