The 2024 Formula 1 season is finally underway, and we’ve reached race weekend at Bahrain’s International Circuit in Sakhir.
Max Verstappen comes in as the reigning champion, having won his third-straight world championship in an utterly dominant 2023 campaign.
Despite Red Bull’s dominance during races last season, they weren’t always on top in qualifying. Towards the back end of last year, Ferrari secured multiple pole positions thanks to their drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The majority of the attention in the build-up to race week has been drawn towards Red Bull Racing and its team principal, Christian Horner. Despite an allegation of ‘inappropriate behaviour’, Horner retains his position, as confirmed by the team’s parent company in Austria. On Wednesday, they announced the dismissal of the complaint after an investigation.
The Sporting News is following qualifying live and providing updates below.
WATCH in US: F1 qualifying with fubo (free trial)
F1 Bahrain qualifying live
5 mins to lights out: The grandstands have filled up under the lights for this night session. A fair few thick coats and hoodies in there, it must be said! We’re ready to go.
15 mins to lights out: If Sainz can back up his practice performance with pole, it would stand as an emphatic response to being left out in the cold by Lewis Hamilton signing for Ferrari. As things stand, Sainz does not have a drive for 2025. He spoke to reporters in Sakhir on Wednesday.
I don’t know where I’m going and I don’t know what will be my best option. What I know is I’m going to maximise my last year at Ferrari. I really want to have a good last year in this incredible team and give my absolute best for everyone in Maranello.
Regarding my future, the situation changed quite a lot over the winter. Now I’m going to take my time to decide where I go. We’re obviously going to speak to all the options available and see what’s the best for my career and the best project that gives me the possibility to become world champion in the end, it’s my dream and the thing I want to do as soon as possible.
40 mins to lights out: The conditions in Bahrain are unusually blustery. Strong winds could prove to be a real wildcard element around the Sakhir circuit’s high-speed corners.
1 hour to light out: It would be a brave person who bets against Verstappen finishing on pole when the action gets underway, but anything other than continued dominance from Red Bull this weekend will be viewed through a harsh lense, given the ongoing controversy off the track concerning team principal Christian Horner. Find out all the latest news here.
1 hr 30 mins to lights out: Red Bull won an astonishing 21 of the 22 races on the 2023 calendar. The man who prevented a clean sweep, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz topped the time sheets in final practice ahead of compatriot Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. World champion Max Verstappen was third ahead of Sainz’s team-mate Charles Leclerc, with Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull down in eighth. The Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were sixth and 12th respectively.
2 hours to lights out: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the first Formula 1 qualifying session of the 2024 season. We’re in Bahrain for the season opener as Max Verstappen looks to defend his world championship.
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) February 28, 2024
F1 2024 schedule: What time is Bahrain qualifying?
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | India | |
| Date | Friday, Mar 1 | Friday, Mar 1 | Friday, Mar 1 | Saturday, Mar 2 | Friday, Mar 1 |
| Time | 4 p.m. GMT | 11 a.m. ET | 11 a.m. ET | 3 a.m. AEDT | 9:30 p.m. IST |
F1 2024 schedule: What time is the Bahrain Grand Prix race?
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | India | |
| Date | Saturday, Mar 2 | Saturday, Mar 2 | Saturday, Mar 2 | Sunday, Mar 3 | Saturday, Mar 2 |
| Time | 3 p.m. GMT | 10 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. ET | 2 a.m. AEDT | 8:30 p.m. IST |
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How to watch the 2024 F1 season in the USA
ESPN’s wide-reaching sporting network is showing every F1 race for US audiences in 2024, utilising Sky Sports’ live broadcasts, and also showing some free-to-air circuits on ABC.
US-based F1 fans can also stream each race live using Fubo, which is offering a FREE trial right now, or use ESPN+ among other streaming options. Meanwhile, ESPN Deportes is the exclusive Spanish-language home for all F1 races in the United States.
STREAM: F1 races on ESPN+ in the US
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in Canada
- TV channel: TSN (English); RDS / Noovo (French)
- Live stream: TSN Direct
For F1 fans in Canada, TSN are providing the English-language broadcast of each race, while RDS and Noovo are doing the same for French-speaking viewers.
Races can also be streamed through TSN’s own streaming service, TSN Direct.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in the UK
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: NOW TV / Sky Go app
As ever, Sky Sports’ dedicated Formula One channel, Sky Sports F1, are showing all the action from every single session in 2024.
For fans planning to live stream their fill of F1 this season, you can also watch by using the Sky Go app if you’re an existing subscriber, or by purchasing a Sky Sports Pass on NOW TV.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in Australia
- TV channel: Fox Sports / Channel 10
- Live stream: Kayo Sports / Foxtel Go
Fox Sports are covering every race for Australian-based audiences in 2024, while free-to-air station Channel 10 will only be showing the Australian Grand Prix.
How to watch the 2024 F1 season in India
F1 fans in India can watch each circuit on subscription service F1 TV Pro, which also offers full race highlights and replays.
The coverage will include the live broadcast of the practice and qualifying sessions, of top of the races themselves.