Formula One finally returns to South America as the drivers and teams arrive in São Paulo for the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix.
This weekend sees the sixth and final Sprint race of year take place on Saturday but before that, we have qualifying to see who can take pole position for Sunday’s race.
It’s Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who remains the man to beat in that regard, after he finished top of the pile in both the US and Mexico across the last two qualifying sessions, though three-time world drivers’ champion Max Verstappen will likely push him all the way here.
There’s plenty of other drivers in the mix for P1 for Sunday’s starting grid as well, including Sergio Perez, who desperately needs a positive result after his DNF finish last time out. Unlike his Mexican opponent, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has rediscovered some form of late after taking P2 in Mexico City last weekend.
Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and George Russell all additionally remain in the mix and could produce some magic in qualifying today.
MORE: F1 Brazilian Grand Prix predictions, odds, betting tips, best bets for 2023 race in São Paulo
F1 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix live qualifying commentary, highlights: As it happens
5 minutes left of Q2: A number of drivers improve on their second runs but Verstappen still leads for now. Sainz and Russell jump into the top three for now whilst Ocon is the driver at risk.
10 minutes left of Q2: Verstappen posts a 1:10.162 to lead the early exchanges of Q2 from McLaren pair Norris and Piastri who are looking really quick out there.
START OF Q2: We’re back underway in São Paulo as Verstappen leads us out.
Russell is currently under investigation by the stewards for blocking the pit exit.
Gasly is not happy about having to take to the grass here 👀
Russell’s in his way… stewards are investigating 🔍#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/LmZJvM8JBT
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2023
END OF Q1: As the rain begins to fall lightly, Russell takes top spot in Q1. He’s followed by Verstappen, Leclerc, Hulkenberg and Piastri but it’s double disappointment for both AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo. Sargeant is the other driver out.
Eliminated from Q1:
Yuki Tsunoda
Daniel Ricciardo
Valtteri Bottas
Logan Sargeant
Zhou Guanyu
5 minutes left of Q1: Leclerc replaces Norris in top spot for now as Stroll makes it up into P3. Tusnoda, Bottas, Sargeant, Albon and Zhou Guanyu currently form the bottom five.
10 minutes left of Q1: After the early runs in Q1, it’s Norris who leads with Hamilton just behind. The British pair are then followed by Verstappen, Gasly and Ricciardo who round out the top five. Could the rain come soon? The clouds are rolling in.
🌦️ 60% chance of rain for this session#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/E1BDTVFv3b
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2023
START OF Q1: Away we finally go then as the battle for pole position begins around Interlagos in São Paulo. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads us out of the pits as the threat of rain looms large.
Start delayed: Due to debris on the track, the start of qualifying has been delayed by 15 minutes.
15 minutes to lights out: Just under 15 minutes to go until we get qualifying underway here in São Paulo.
Hopefully everyone can give each other plenty of space out on the track unlike Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg who collided in bizarre fashion during FP1 earlier!
Contact between Hulk and Lando in FP1! 😮 #F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/S5dZYElfHb
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2023
30 minutes to lights out: Verstappen is the obvious bookmakers’ favourite to take top spot here in this session, but there’s plenty of other drivers who could challenge.
Given his recent performances that have improved drastically, plus Mercedes’ key upgrades since the US Grand Prix in Austin, Lewis Hamilton could push his rival all the way here. The Brit absolutely loves driving at this track too, a place where he’s had plenty of success before during his career.
1 hour until lights out: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News‘ live coverage of qualifying for the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix!
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enters as the obvious favourite to take pole position here in São Paulo but Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has looked quick in qualifying of late and should challenge once again in Brazil.
What time does the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix start?
- Date: Sunday, November 5
- Start time: 2 p.m (Local) | 5 p.m (GMT) | 12 p.m (ET) | 4 a.m (AEST – Mon, Nov 6)
Sunday’s 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. local time. Lights out will take place just after 12:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m GMT.
Below is the complete schedule for the weekend’s F1 events in Sao Paulo.
| Date | Event | Time (GMT) | Time (ET) | Time (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 3 | Practice 1 | 2:30 p.m. | 10:30 a.m | 1:30 a.m (Sat, Nov 4) |
| Friday, Nov 3 | Qualifying | 6 p.m. | 2 p.m | 5 a.m (Sat, Nov 4) |
| Saturday, Nov 4 | Sprint Shootout | 2 p.m. | 10 a.m | 1 a.m (Sun, Nov 5) |
| Saturday, Nov 4 | Sprint race | 6:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m | 5:30 a.m (Sun, Nov 5) |
| Sunday, Nov 5 | Race | 5 p.m. | 12 p.m | 4 a.m (Mon, Nov 6) |
MORE: F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 2023: Time, schedule, TV channel, live stream for Formula 1 race week
What TV channel is the F1 on?
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV Channel | Sky Sports F1 | ESPN/ABC | TSN (English); RDS (French) | Fox Sports |
Where can I live stream F1?
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Live Stream | NOW TV / Sky Go app | ESPN+ | fuboTV, TSN Direct | Kayo |
F1 season schedule 2023
In 2023, the Formula One Calendar will be made up on 23 races across four different continents.
The action began with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5 and will end on November 26 in Abu Dhabi.
Here’s the latest schedule (subject to change):
| Date | Race |
| March 5 | Bahrain Grand Prix |
| March 19 | Saudi Arabia Grand Prix |
| April 2 | Australian Grand Prix |
| April 30 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix |
| May 7 | Miami Grand Prix |
| May 21 | Emilia Romagna Grand Prix |
| May 28 | Monaco Grand Prix |
| June 4 | Spanish Grand Prix |
| June 18 | Canadian Grand Prix |
| July 2 | Austrian Grand Prix |
| July 9 | British Grand Prix |
| July 23 | Hungarian Grand Prix |
| July 30 | Belgian Grand Prix |
| August 27 | Dutch Grand Prix |
| September 3 | Italian Grand Prix |
| September 17 | Singapore Grand Prix |
| September 24 | Japanese Grand Prix |
| October 8 | Qatari Grand Prix |
| October 22 | United States Grand Prix |
| October 29 | Mexican Grand Prix |
| November 5 | Brazilian Grand Prix |
| November 19 | Las Vegas Grand Prix |
| November 26 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
How to watch Formula 1 in the US
- TV channel: ABC; ESPN
- Live stream: FuboTV / Hulu / Sling TV
F1 fans in the USA can catch all the action in 2023 with all 23 races set to be shown live on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. For Spanish-language viewers, they can find live broadcasts on ESPN Deportes, though ESPNews and ESPNU will also show some practice and qualifying sessions live throughout the year.
As well as on the official F1 TV service, the action can be live streamed on Hulu + Live TV with subscriptions. Elsewhere, Sling TV will also show the action, as too will FuboTV in the US.
How to watch Formula 1 in Canada
- TV channel: TSN (English); RDS (French)
- Live stream: TSN Direct
For fans in Canada, TSN will carry the English-language telecast of races. For those looking for the French-language broadcast, RDS will have you covered.
Races can be streamed on fuboTV and via TSN’s streaming service, TSN Direct.
How to watch Formula 1 in the United Kingdom
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: NOW TV / Sky Go app
Viewers in the United Kingdom can catch all F1 action on Sky Sports F1, the dedicated F1 channel. For viewers planning to live stream F1 in 2023, you can watch via the Sky Go app if you’re an existing subscriber or you can purchase a Sky Sports Pass on NOW TV.
How to watch Formula 1 in Australia
- TV channel: Fox Sports; Channel 10
- Live stream: Kayo
Fox Sports will carry all races in Australia for the 2023 season.