F1 Qualifying Today: Saudi Arabian GP 2024 start times, schedule and TV

Find out everything you need to know about qualifying for the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, including start times and how to watch it live on TV in your region.

The stage is set for a thrilling qualifying session at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Thursday's free practice sessions offered a glimpse into what's in store, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen setting the pace in FP1 with a 1:29.659, with a resurgent Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin a mere 0.186 seconds behind.

FP2 saw a shift in momentum, with the Spaniard taking the top spot with a blistering 1:28.827. Mercedes' George Russell showed good pace, coming in second, 0.230 seconds back. Championship leader Verstappen wasn't far behind, completing the top three.

READ MORE: F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weather forecast - Wind could trouble drivers in hot and sticky conditions

Finally, in FP3, Verstappen regained control by setting the fastest time (1:28.412). A notable surprise came from reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who filled in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis and required surgery, forcing him to miss the FP3 session and the rest of the weekend. The young driver managed a decent P10 finish in his Ferrari debut.

When does F1 qualifying start today?

Qualifying for the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP gets underway at 8pm local time. Here's a quick breakdown for some major regions:

Local time (Saudi Arabia): 8pm Friday
UK time (GMT): 5pm Friday
Central European Time (CET): 6pm Friday
United States (EST): 12pm Friday
United States (CST): 11am Friday
United States (PST): 9am Friday
Australia (Sydney/Melbourne): 4am Saturday
South Africa: 7pm Friday

How can I watch F1 qualifying on TV?

The answer depends on your location. Here's a breakdown of how to catch the action in some major countries:

United Kingdom: Sky Sports, Channel 4 (highlights)
United States: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Netherlands: Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten
Italy: Sky Italia
Spain: DAZN F1
Canada: RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
Germany: Sky Deutschland
France: Canal+
Belgium: RTBF, Telenet, Play Sports
Mexico: Fox Sports Mexico
Singapore: beIN SPORTS
Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
Hungary: M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
China: CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
Brazil: Bandeirantes, Bandsports
Austria: Servus TV, ORF
Middle East & Turkey: beIN SPORTS
Africa: SuperSport
Latin America: ESPN

F1TV Pro also carries coverage of the sport, depending on which territory you are in.

READ MORE: F1 on TV: The definitive guide to how to watch the 2024 season live

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