F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying and race - Start time, how to watch ...

F1 has turned its sprint race into a standalone Saturday event, with sprint qualifying deciding the starting grid followed by the sprint race later in the day. Here’s how the latest sprint race format changes will work. 

During qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the fastest lap time in Q3 but will start from sixth place due to a five-place grid drop for a gearbox change. 

That hands Charles Leclerc pole position for Ferrari, his second of the season, and he will be joined on the front row by Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull. 

What time does sprint qualifying start for the F1 Belgian Grand Prix? 

Sprint qualifying for the Belgian GP starts at 12:00pm local time (11:00am BST), using a shorter version of the traditional Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout session format. 

Date: Saturday 29 July 2023Start time: 12:00pm local time – 11:00am BST 

What time does the sprint race start for the F1 Belgian Grand Prix? 

The sprint race for the Belgian GP starts at 4:30pm local time (3:30pm BST), covering a distance of 15 laps or 60 minutes. 

Date: Saturday 29 July 2023Start time: 4:30pm local time – 3:30pm BST 

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23

Photo by: Alessio Morgese

How can I watch Formula 1? 

In the United Kingdom Formula 1 is broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights shown on Channel 4 several hours after the race has finished. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK. 

Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts the F1 races, can be added as part of the Sky Sports channels which costs £24 a month for new customers. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98p or a month membership of £34.99p per month. 

-How can I watch F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying and the sprint race? 

In the United Kingdom every F1 practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with Belgian GP sprint qualifying coverage starting at 10:30am BST on Sky Sports F1, and sprint race coverage starting at 2:30pm BST on Sky Sports F1. 

Channel: Sky Sports F1  Start time – Sprint Qualifying: 10:30am BST Saturday 29 July 2023  Start time – Sprint Race: 2:30pm BST Saturday 29 July 2023 

Autosport will be running a live text coverage of sprint qualifying and the sprint race here. 

When can I watch the highlights of F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying and the sprint race? 

In the United Kingdom Channel 4 is broadcasting highlights of sprint qualifying and the sprint race for the Belgian GP at 7:45pm BST on Saturday evening. The full programme will run for 90 minutes, covering both sprint qualifying and the sprint race and wrapping up the major talking points of the race weekend so far. 

For the entire 2023 F1 season, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights of every qualifying and race of each event. The highlights will also be available on Channel 4’s on-demand catch-up services. 

Channel: Channel 4   Start time: 7:45pm BST Saturday 29 July 2023 

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14

Photo by: Alessio Morgese

Will F1 Belgian GP sprint qualifying and the sprint race be on the radio

Live radio coverage of every practice, qualifying and race for the 2023 F1 season will be available on the BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra or via the BBC Sport website. 

Coverage of Belgian GP sprint qualifying will start at 11:00am BST on the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sounds app. 

Coverage of the Belgian GP sprint race will start at 3:30pm BST on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app. 

What's the weather forecast for sprint qualifying and the sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps? 

Wet and mild conditions with a high chance of showers is forecast for all of Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps. The temperature is set to reach highs of 18 degrees Celsius at the start of the sprint race.