Formula One

F1 Bahrain 2023 Preview – Start Time, How to Watch & More

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It’s finally time for F1 to get underway again. After a three-month wait, the series returns to action this weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Here is everything you need to know about the Bahrain GP, including the schedule, how to watch and more.

What can we expect of the 2023 Formula One season? The opening race will bring some of the answers and put an end to all the pre-season speculation.

Bahrain Grand Prix Start Time UK and Schedule

Bahrain Grand Prix date

The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix will happen on Sunday, March 5th.

Bahrain Grand Prix start time

The F1 2023 Bahrain GP is set to start at 3:00 pm GMT.

Here is the detailed 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix schedule, with all the session start times in the UK.

Bahrain GP 2023 Schedule

Friday, March 3Session Time (GMT)
Free Practice 111:30 am – 12:30 pm
Free Practice 23:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, March 4Session Time (GMT)
Free Practice 311:30 am – 12:30 pm
Qualifying3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday, March 5Session Time (GMT)
Race3:00 pm

How can I watch the Bahrain GP?

For viewers in the UK, the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix will be broadcast on Sky Sports. Channel 4 will air the highlights after the race. Streaming is available on NOW, and the race is set to start at 3:00 pm.

Viewers in the US can follow the action live on ESPN.

Television channels

TV ChannelLocation
Sky Sports F1UK
ESPNUS
TSN/RDSCanada
Fox SportsAustralia

Streaming services

Streaming ServiceLocation
NOW TV/Sky Go AppUK
ESPNUS
TSN DirectCanada
KayoAustralia

About the Bahrain Grand Prix

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The Bahrain Grand Prix was held for the first time in 2004. Michael Schumacher led Rubens Barrichello home in another 1-2 finish for Ferrari, which dominated that year. It was Schumacher’s third consecutive win of the season, as the German went on to score his record-setting seventh world championship.

The Bahrain International Circuit was inaugurated in 2004, still in an incomplete state. Just like most modern tracks, it was designed by the famous and highly controversial German architect Hermann Tilke.

The Sakhir track has two high speed sectors split by an extremely technical middle section. There will be 3 DRS zones: one down the main straight, another on the straight between turns 3 and 4, and one between turns 10 and 11.

The Bahrain Circuit also has another two layouts that have been used by F1. In 2010, the series ran on the longer “Endurance” loop. And in 2020, Bahrain held back-to-back races, with the second one – the Sakhir Grand Prix – running on the outer loop.

Bahrain has produced some good moments and close racing, with Hamilton and Rosberg’s 2014 duel and last year’s wheel-to-wheel battle between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen being some of them.

Altitude and weather

Sakhir is located 30.44 meters above sea level, which means that altitude won’t play much of a part. The weather forecast for the race has a 0% chance of rain, with light winds and temperature between 22 and 23°C.

Bahrain GP stats

Here are some interesting facts about the Bahrain Grand Prix:

First Bahrain Grand Prix: 2004

Last Bahrain Grand Prix: 2022

Circuit length: 5.412 km

Number of laps: 57

Race distance: 308.238km

Lap record: Pedro de la Rosa, 2005 (1:31.447)

Most wins (drivers)

Lewis Hamilton – 5

Sebastian Vettel – 4

Fernando Alonso – 3

Felipe Massa – 2

Most wins (constructors)

Ferrari – 7

Mercedes – 6

Red Bull – 2

Renault – 2

Bahrain offers more than just racing

Did you know that Bahrain is actually an archipelago? It consists of 83 islands, 50 of which are natural while the other 33 are artificial. The country’s namesake island forms 83% of Bahrain’s territory.

Bahrain is famous for its resorts, but also offers other activities including bird watching, scuba diving and horse riding.


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