F1 Azerbaijan GP sprint qualifying and race - Start time, how to watch & more

Formula 1’s new format for the sprint race weekends makes its debut at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Here’s how and when to watch the sprint qualifying and sprint race.

Fresh for 2023, F1 has revamped its sprint race schedule, which makes the Saturday action a standalone event, with a new sprint qualifying session on Saturday morning replacing the previous second practice session.

Sprint qualifying will set the grid for the sprint race on Saturday afternoon.

Friday’s qualifying session therefore sets the grid for the grand prix on Sunday, and Charles Leclerc managed to beat Max Verstappen to pole position. 

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

Sprint qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP starts at 12.30pm local time (9.30am BST), using a shorter version of the traditional Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout session format.

Date: Saturday 29 April 2023
Start time: 12.30pm local time – 9.30am BST

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

The sprint race for the Azerbaijan GP starts at 5.30pm local time (2.30pm BST), covering a distance of 17 laps or 60 minutes.

Date: Saturday 29 April 2023
Start time: 5.30pm local time – 2.30pm BST

Source: Autosport