Formula One season begins: Start time, TV, streaming, grid, schedule for Bahrain Grand Prix
It's lights out and away we go on another Formula One season.
Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix marks the first of 23 races in what will be the longest F1 season in history. Which driver will come out on top in the maiden event of 2023?
Teams have already been in Sakhir, Bahrain for more than a week for preseason testing that included nearly all 20 drivers log a significant number of laps in their brand-new 2023 cars. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll was the lone driver who did not participate and his status for Sunday's race is questionable after an offseason bicycle accident. Reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, would step in if Stroll is unable to drive.
Still, there are plenty of storylines to follow heading into a new season. Will Max Verstappen deliver a third consecutive championship for Red Bull? Can Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes get back to their winning ways? How will rookie driver Logan Sargeant, the only American on the grid, perform in his first F1 season?
Here is all the information you need to get ready for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix:
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When is the F1 race in Bahrain?
The 2023 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is Sunday, March 5 and starts at 10 a.m. ET (6 p.m. local) at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
What TV channel are the F1 Bahrain race, qualifying and practice on?
ESPN will broadcast the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 5. Qualifying, as well as the three free-practice sessions, will be shown on the ESPN family of networks on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4.
Will there be a live stream of the F1 race in Bahrain?
The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix can be live-streamed via ESPN.com, the ESPN app or through services such as ESPN+, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling and YouTube TV. Track sessions can also be streamed on-demand via F1 TV.
Who holds the lap record at the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix?
Pedro de la Rosa of Spain holds the lap record at Bahrain International Circuit, completing a 2.2-mile lap in 1:31.447 during the 2005 season with McLaren.
Who won the F1 race in Bahrain last year?
Charles Leclerc of Monaco won the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix for Ferrari last season. The win came after both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez failed to finish the race due to mechanical problems with their Red Bull cars.
What is the starting grid for the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen takes the first pole position of the 2023 season. He's joined on the front row by his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez. American driver Logan Sargeant will make his Formula 1 debut from the 16th position for Williams.
Here is the starting grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix based on the Saturday qualifying session. (Car number in parentheses):
1. (1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. (11) Sergio Pérez, Red Bull
3. (16) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4. (55) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
5. (14) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
6. (63) George Russell, Mercedes
7. (44) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
8. (18) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
9. (31) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
10. (27) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
11. (4) Lando Norris, McLaren
12. (77) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
13. (23) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo
14. (22) Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri
15. (23) Alex Albon, Williams
16. (2) Logan Sargeant, Williams
17. (20) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
18. (81) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
19. (21) Nyck De Vries, Alpha Tauri
20. (10) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Start time, TV, streaming, grid for 2023 opener
