Qatar hosts its first grand prix this weekend at the Losail International Circuit and the contest for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship is arguably the best for at least a decade.
Max Verstappen leads the world championship by 14 points over Lewis Hamilton though that tally could fall depending on the outcome of the right of review lodged by Mercedes after the Brazilian GP.
In terms of the constructors’ title, Mercedes leads Red Bull by 11 points and the team bosses are only elevating the tension between the two teams.
Losail is a circuit designed with motorcycle racing in mind so quite how the F1 cars will tackle the circuit is unknown but the set-up mystery only elevates the tension heading into the final rounds of the season.
Here are all of the TV timings you need for this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix to ensure you don’t miss a moment.
Key times
If you’re hoping to catch the major sessions just as they happen, here are the times you need to be in front of your TV or have your device set up for.
Qualifying
Live: Saturday, 13:55 via Sky Sports F1/NowTV
Highlights: Saturday, 17:30 via Channel 4
Race
Live: 13:55 via Sky Sports F1/NowTV
Highlights: 18:30 via Channel 4
How many laps is the Qatar Grand Prix?
The Qatar Grand Prix is 57 laps of the 5.38km Losail International Circuit on Sunday on November 21. The weather is expected to be into the 30C range on race day.
Where to watch
Every session is covered live on Sky Sports F1 and will feature pre and post-session coverage throughout the race weekend. Sunday’s post-race content continues on until 17:30 after the chequered flag.
For highlights, Channel 4 is back to its mid-evening slot for both qualifying and race recaps.
(All times GMT)
Sky Sports F1 – Live
Friday: FP1 – 10:00 | FP2 – 13:45
Saturday: FP3 – 10:45 | Qualifying: 13:00
Sunday: Race – 12:30
Channel 4 – Highlights
Saturday: Qualifying – 17:30
Sunday: Race – 18:30
How to stream
Throughout the weekend, NowTV will show each session live via the Sky Sports F1 channel meaning you can keep up to date with the sessions no matter where you are. The app is available on mobile and tablet devices with weekend passes guaranteeing you live action as well as pre and post-race coverage.
Who will win?
Alarm bells were ringing in the Red Bull camp after Lewis Hamilton displayed some incredible straight-line speed performance to rise through the ranks and finish fifth in the sprint qualifying race at Interlagos.
Those fears were only exasperated when the Mercedes driver came steaming through for the lead and eventual win of the race to close the gap in the championship to 14 points on Sunday.
Red Bull pointed that advantage squarely at the new power unit Hamilton had taken along with the rear wing of the Mercedes which the Milton Keynes team suggests is responsible for an unaccounted advantage.
