Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 start time: F1 practice, qualifying, race schedule on TV
Your complete guide to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 start time, plus full TV schedule for race weekend, including practice, qualifying and the GP itself.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is here and Formula 1 drivers, teams and fans alike can't wait to sink their teeth into another Grand Prix at the start of the 2023 season.
Max Verstappen enjoyed a leisurely stroll to the finish line in Bahrain, but a lightning fast dash around the Jeddah street circuit is in store this weekend.
Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was the only car anywhere near Verstappen, with the pair streaking 38 seconds clear of the rest of the field. It was an ominous display of force from Christian Horner's team, who already appear to be overwhelming favourites to win it all once again.
Mercedes and Ferrari failed to mount any kind of challenge to the Red Bulls, and appear to have been caught by Aston Martin, forming a wider chasing pack.
Fernando Alonso claimed a podium place in Bahrain and will be determined to make sure it is the first of many, while Lance Stroll also enjoyed a terrific weekend in Bahrain despite him still recovering from a cycling accident.
RadioTimes.com brings you the complete guide to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023, including start time, dates and TV details, as well as our analysis of the big storylines to come.
Check out more Formula 1 coverage: F1 calendar 2023 | How to watch F1 on TV | F1 beginner's guide | F1 highlights | F1 presenters | F1 on Channel 4
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix date
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 19th March.
Check out our F1 calendar 2023 – link above – for the full list of races throughout the season.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix start time
The race begins promptly at 5pm UK time.
We've included the full schedule for the rest of the weekend, including practice and qualifying times, below.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix practice time
All UK time.
Friday 17th March
From 1pm on Sky Sports F1
Practice 1 – 1:30pm
Practice 2 – 5pm
Saturday 18th March
From 1:15pm on Sky Sports F1
Practice 3 – 1:30pm
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying time
Saturday 18th March
From 4pm on Sky Sports F1
Qualifying – 5pm
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race time
Sunday 19th March
From 3:30pm on Sky Sports F1
Race – 5pm
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How to watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on TV
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will air live on Sky Sports F1 from 3:30pm on Sunday 19th March.
All races will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event throughout the season.
Sky customers can add individual channels for just £18 per month or add the complete sports package to their deal for just £25 per month.
You can check out Box.co.uk for the latest TV deals to watch F1 in style throughout the season.
Live stream Saudi Arabian Grand Prix online
Existing Sky Sports customers can live stream the race via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices.
You can watch the Grand Prix with a NOW Day Membership for £11.98 or a Monthly Membership for £33.99, all without signing up to a contract.
NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 preview
1. Unstoppable Red Bull?
Red Bull could not have enjoyed a more smooth opening weekend.
They didn't miss a beat in testing, they didn't miss a beat throughout practice and qualifying in Bahrain, they didn't miss a beat during the race itself.
Verstappen finished 12 seconds ahead of Perez, Perez finished 38 seconds ahead of the rest. How can anyone bridge that gap under normal race circumstances?
2. Can Aston Martin show consistency?
Fernando Alonso delivered a tangible, fantastic result to cap off a positive off-season for Aston Martin as he finished on the podium.
Lance Stroll finished sixth, level with his best finish in 2022 after just one race, proving a dramatic performance upturn for the team.
Aston Martin's task is now clear: do it again. All eyes will be on Alonso and Stroll to see if they can string together a reel of stellar results.
3. Fast circuit drama?
The Jeddah track is fast. Very, very fast. It is one of the longest and fastest, and one of the most merciless to boot.
Not only will cars skim around the circuit at average speeds of 250km/h, but they will do so enclosed by tight walls. At the anticipated speeds, one slip, one wobble, is likely to be enough to end in disaster.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 prediction
We've already seen plenty of drama at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in its two editions so far.
More than a quarter of drivers failed to complete the Grand Prix in the last two years, with the majority of those DNFs coming from collisions, while Mick Schumacher was unable to participate last year due to a crash in qualifying.
On paper, this race is only going one way, to Verstappen, but if there was ever a track to shake up the order with a red flag, a crash or collision, it's this one.
RadioTimes.com Saudi Arabian GP predicted winner: Max Verstappen
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Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
