F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel
The Bahrain International Circuit plays hosts the opening round of the 2023 Formula 1 season on March 3-5. Here's how and when you can watch qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Fernando Alonso set the pace in Friday practice for Aston Martin, leading Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Charles Leclerc was fourth-quickest for Ferrari, while Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg finished a strong fifth on his full-time return to F1.
What time does qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix start?
Qualifying for the Bahrain GP will begin at 6pm local time (+3 GMT) at the Bahrain International Circuit.
- Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
- Start time: 18:00 local time / 15:00 GMT / 16:00 CET / 17:00 SAST / 18:00 EAT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT / 02:00 AEST (Sunday) / 00:00 JST (Sunday) / 20:30 IST
Can’t find your country or region in the list? Check the schedule page for the broadcast times in your local timezone.
2023 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix session timings in different timezones
| Session | GMT | CET | ET | PT | AEDT | JST | IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 | 11:30 | 12:30 | 06:30 | 03:30 | 22:30 | 20:30 | 17:00 |
| FP2 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 02:00¹ | 00:00¹ | 20:30 |
| FP3 | 11:30 | 12:30 | 06:30 | 03:30 | 22:30 | 20:30 | 17:00 |
| Q | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 02:00¹ | 00:00¹ | 20:30 |
| Race | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 02:00¹ | 00:00¹ | 20:30 |
How can I watch qualifying?
Formula 1 is broadcast live in nearly every country around the world.
Europe:
- Austria - Servus TV / ORF
- Belgium - RTBF / Telenet / Play Sports
- Croatia - Sport Klub
- Czech Republic - AMC
- Denmark - TV3+ / TV3 Sport / Viaplay
- Finland - Viaplay / V sport + / V sport 1
- France - Canal+
- Germany - Sky
- Greece - ANT1 / ANT1+
- Hungary - M4
- Italy - Sky
- Netherlands - Viaplay / Viaplay Xtra
- Norway - V sport 1 / V sport + / Viaplay
- Poland - Viaplay
- Portugal - Sport TV
- Spain - F1 DAZN
- Sweden - Viaplay / V sport motor / TV 10
- Switzerland - SRF / RSI / RTS
- UK - Sky Sports F1
Americas:
- USA - ESPN
- Canada - RDS / RDS2 / TSN / Noovo
- Latin America - ESPN
Asia:
- China - CCTV/ Great Sports TV / Guangdong Television Channel
- India - F1 TV only
- Japan - Fuji TV / DAZN
- Malaysia - beIN SPORTS
- Indonesia- beIN SPORTS
- Singapore - beIN SPORTS
- Thailand - beIN SPORTS
- Turkey - S Sport / S Sport Plus
- Vietnam - K+
Oceania:
- Australia - Fox Sports / Foxtel / Kayo
- New Zealand - Sky
Africa:
- Africa - SuperSport
Can I stream qualifying?
Viewers from selected countries can subscribe to F1 TV to stream qualifying on a device of their choice. Some local broadcasters such as Sky TV (UK) and Movistar (Spain) also offer their own on-demand service.
Live commentary
Motorsport.com will bring the latest updates from Sakhir throughout the weekend, including live commentary during qualifying on Saturday.
Bahrain GP - FP1 results:
| Cla | Driver | Chassis | Time | Gap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sergio Perez |  | Red Bull | 1'32.758 | |
| 2 |  Fernando Alonso |  | Aston Martin | 1'33.196 | 0.438 |
| 3 |  Max Verstappen |  | Red Bull | 1'33.375 | 0.617 |
| 4 |  Lando Norris |  | McLaren | 1'34.165 | 1.407 |
| 5 |  Charles Leclerc |  | Ferrari | 1'34.257 | 1.499 |
| 6 |  Lance Stroll |  | Aston Martin | 1'34.298 | 1.540 |
| 7 |  Kevin Magnussen |  | Haas | 1'34.402 | 1.644 |
| 8 |  Zhou Guanyu |  | Alfa Romeo | 1'34.575 | 1.817 |
| 9 |  Valtteri Bottas |  | Alfa Romeo | 1'34.689 | 1.931 |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton |  | Mercedes | 1'34.917 | 2.159 |
| 11 | George Russell |  | Mercedes | 1'34.966 | 2.208 |
| 12 |  Oscar Piastri |  | McLaren | 1'34.997 | 2.239 |
| 13 |  Yuki Tsunoda |  | AlphaTauri | 1'35.015 | 2.257 |
| 14 |  Nico Hulkenberg |  | Haas | 1'35.043 | 2.285 |
| 15 |  Esteban Ocon |  | Alpine | 1'35.105 | 2.347 |
| 16 | Nyck de Vries |  | AlphaTauri | 1'35.402 | 2.644 |
| 17 | Pierre Gasly |  | Alpine | 1'35.455 | 2.697 |
| 18 |  Logan Sargeant |  | Williams | 1'35.749 | 2.991 |
| 19 |  Alex Albon |  | Williams | 1'36.018 | 3.260 |
| 20 | Carlos Sainz |