SUMMARY
- Second round of 2024 F1 season at Saudi Arabian GP sees Red Bull drivers aiming for the top spots.
- Jeddah's qualifying promises intense competition with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Fernando Alonso contending against Max Verstappen.
This weekend marks the second round of the 2024 F1 season at the Saudi Arabian GP. In the previous year, Red Bull driver Sergio Perez clinched pole position at Jeddah, while his teammate Max Verstappen faced mechanical issues in Q2. However, this season, both the Red Bull drivers are expected to contend for the pole spot with the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers as well as the 2x champion, Fernando Alonso.
Qualifying in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit always promises thrilling action, as teams strive to push their limits. After a scandalous off-season marked by Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and an investigation launched against Christian Horner, Formula 1 is reverting to spectacular Grand Prix performances. While Verstappen aims to maintain a dominant streak, similar to the 2023 season, the competition seems hard to tackle.
When can you tune in for the qualifying session?
As the race weekend is drawing closer, the excitement around the race in Jeddah is building up. The reigning champion led the first round of the practice session, closely followed by Alonso. However, in FP2, the Spaniard surged ahead with Mercedes driver George Russell in second place. Verstappen remained a contender in the top three.
FORMULA 1 SAUDI ARABIA GRAND PRIX – SESSION TIMES ⌚️
Thursday 07/03/2024 🚥
FP1: 13:30 – 14:30
FP2: 17:00 – 18:00Friday 08/03/2024 🚥
FP3: 13:30 – 14:30
Qualifying: 17:00 – 18:00Saturday 09/03/2024 🚥
Race: 17:00*All times UTC#5SN #F1 #SaudiArabiaGP 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/FfC5uU2J2L
— 5 Sports Network ⚽️🎾⛳🏎🏁🏀 (@5SportsNet) March 6, 2024
There has been a shift in the traditional race weekend schedule as witnessed during the Bahrain Grand Prix. This is due to the holy month of Ramadan which is widely celebrated in the Middle Eastern nations. Consequently, the race day has been shifted from Sundays to a Saturday in Saudi Arabia as well.
The much anticipated qualifying round will begin at 8:00 PM as per local time.
United States (EST): 12 noon Friday.
United States (CST): 11 am Friday.
United States (PST): 9 am Friday.
UK time (GMT): 5 pm Friday.
Central European Time (CET): 6 pm Friday.
Australia: 4 am Saturday.
South Africa: 7 pm Friday.
Watch the Saudi Arabian GP 2024: Broadcasting channels
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clocked first in FP3 with a time of 1:28:412, taking 13 laps in total. He was followed by Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, George Russell, and Lando Norris. Ferrari’s replacement for Carlos Sainz, Oliver Bearman clinched 10th during his debut race with a time of 1:29:306. The young Briton trailed behind the 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton who bagged the 9th spot.
FP3 RESULTS!!!
charles’ graphic always serves as always🤌🏼#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/sqqyCsmN7v
— lec♡︎ (@leclercstreet) March 8, 2024
Red Bull are the favorites going into Jeddah with Ferrari, their closest competitor having to replace Sainz with a rookie. The Alpines look to have improved as they landed at 12th and 14th positions. Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll demonstrated an improved performance during the session. However, the tables might turn once qualifying commences.
The Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be available to watch on the following channels.
Country | Platform |
USA | ESPN, ESPN Deportes |
UK | Sky Sports, C4 |
Germany | Sky Deutschland |
Italy | Sky Italia |
France | Canal+ |
India | F1 TV Pro |