Get ready for an electrifying weekend of high-octane motorsport as the 2024 Formula 1 and Formula 2 seasons continue with the highly anticipated Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This thrilling event takes place at the demanding Jeddah Corniche Circuit, renowned for its incredible speed and technical challenges. In a deviation from the traditional Sunday race, the main events are scheduled for Saturday, ensuring a unique rhythm to the weekend.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. This weekend also marks the commencement of the new F1 Academy season, which, for the first time, will be exclusively held alongside Formula 1 rounds, providing an unprecedented platform for emerging female talent. Adding to the diverse motorsport spectacle, Sunday witnesses the start of the IndyCar season with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida – a stark contrast to Jeddah, featuring a compact and tight street circuit that promises unpredictable racing.
Whether you’re a devoted Formula 1 fan, keenly following the next generation of drivers in F1 Academy and Formula 2, or eager to dive into the thrilling world of IndyCar, this comprehensive guide will ensure you don’t miss a second of the action. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch these unmissable races live in the UK, USA, and across the globe.
The Thrilling 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held at the spectacular Jeddah Corniche Circuit, is quickly becoming a fan favourite. Known as the “fastest street circuit in the world,” Jeddah offers a unique blend of urban surroundings and blistering speeds. Drivers navigate 27 corners, many of which are high-speed sweeps, demanding immense precision and courage. The circuit’s narrow sections and close walls mean that even the slightest error can have significant consequences, often leading to dramatic incidents and safety car periods that reshape races.
This year’s F1 season promises to be another gripping contest. With teams and drivers fine-tuning their machines and strategies, every point in these early races is crucial. The Jeddah circuit often produces strategic battles, requiring teams to master tyre management and exploit potential pit stop windows. The sheer velocity attained on its long straights and the challenge of its sequential corners make for a visually stunning and strategically complex Grand Prix. Fans can expect a weekend filled with intense practice sessions, a nail-biting qualifying, and a main race that could deliver anything from dominant performances to unexpected upsets.
F1 Academy and Formula 2: Nurturing Motorsport’s Future Stars
F1 Academy: A New Era of Support for Female Talent
The F1 Academy championship enters a new and exciting phase this season. In a significant change aimed at maximizing exposure and synergy, all F1 Academy rounds will now take place exclusively alongside Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends. This integration is a pivotal step in promoting female talent within motorsport, offering young drivers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage, in front of F1 teams and a massive international audience. The series is designed to develop the next generation of female racing drivers, equipping them with the experience and exposure needed to progress through the ranks of single-seater racing. Expect competitive racing and inspiring performances from these rising stars as they begin their journey at Jeddah.
Formula 2: The Stepping Stone to F1 Glory
Formula 2 continues to be the primary feeder series for Formula 1, consistently showcasing the hottest young talents vying for a seat in motorsport’s pinnacle. The competition in F2 is notoriously fierce, with drivers pushing to the absolute limit to catch the eye of F1 team principals. Races are characterized by aggressive overtakes, strategic gambles, and high drama, making it an essential watch for anyone following the future of F1. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with its high-speed nature, presents a unique challenge for F2 drivers, testing their bravery and car control to the maximum. The sprint and feature races will undoubtedly provide plenty of thrilling action as these aspirational drivers battle for supremacy and crucial championship points.
IndyCar Season Kicks Off: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
While the focus is on Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia, motorsport enthusiasts will also be celebrating the start of the new IndyCar season across the Atlantic. The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marks the opening round, taking place on a very different, yet equally challenging, temporary street circuit in Florida. This compact and tight track offers a stark contrast to Jeddah’s high-speed expansiveness, forcing drivers to master precise braking, sharp cornering, and patient overtakes on limited space. The unique layout, combining waterfront roads with airfield sections, makes for unpredictable racing where contact is common and strategy is key.
IndyCar is renowned for its incredibly close competition, diverse range of tracks (from street circuits and road courses to short ovals and superspeedways), and powerful open-wheel machines. The St. Petersburg opener is always an exciting indicator of who has found pace in the off-season and often sets the tone for the championship battle ahead. Fans can anticipate thrilling wheel-to-wheel action, daring passes, and the potential for new stars to emerge as the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series gets underway.
How to Watch All the Motorsport Action Live: TV Schedules and Streaming Options
To ensure you don’t miss any of these incredible races, we’ve compiled the essential viewing information for fans in the UK, USA, and other regions. Prepare your weekend by checking the broadcast times for every practice, qualifying, and race session across Formula 1, F1 Academy, Formula 2, and IndyCar.
2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix & Support Races: Thursday 7 March – Saturday 9 March 2024
Watching in the UK: Sky Sports F1 & Channel 4
For UK motorsport fans, Sky Sports F1 is your dedicated home for comprehensive live coverage of the entire Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, including all Formula 1, F1 Academy, and Formula 2 sessions. Sky Sports F1 provides extensive pre-race build-up, expert analysis, post-race reactions, and exclusive interviews, offering an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, Channel 4 will broadcast free-to-air highlights of the F1 qualifying and the Grand Prix itself, ensuring wider access to the key moments of the weekend.
| Day | Session | Channel | Session Starts (GMT) | Session Ends (GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix First Practice Live | Sky Sports F1 | 13:30 | 14:30 |
| Thursday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Second Practice Live | Sky Sports F1 | 17:00 | 18:00 |
| Friday | F1 Academy Race One Live | Sky Sports F1 | 12:10 | – |
| Friday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Third Practice Live | Sky Sports F1 | 13:30 | 14:30 |
| Friday | Formula 2 Sprint Race Live | Sky Sports F1 | 15:10 | – |
| Friday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying Live | Sky Sports F1 | 17:00 | – |
| Saturday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights | Channel 4 | 20:30 | – |
| Saturday | F1 Academy Race Two Live | Sky Sports F1 | 12:05 | – |
| Saturday | Formula 2 Feature Race Live | Sky Sports F1 | 13:25 | – |
| Saturday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Live | Sky Sports F1 | 17:00 | – |
| Saturday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Highlights | Channel 4 | 21:30 | – |
| Saturday | IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg Qualifying | Sky Sports F1 | 22:00 | – |
| Sunday | IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg | Sky Sports F1 | 16:15 | – |
Watching in the USA: ESPN, Peacock & NBC
For fans in the United States, a combination of ESPN networks, Peacock, and NBC will provide comprehensive coverage of the motorsport weekend. ESPN channels will broadcast all Formula 1 sessions live, from practice to qualifying and the main race. IndyCar fans can catch the qualifying session live on Peacock, with the eagerly awaited Grand Prix of St. Petersburg main race airing live on NBC, offering a crucial start to the season’s championship fight. Ensure you check your local listings for any last-minute schedule changes.
| Day | Session | Channel | Session Starts (Eastern Time) | Session Ends (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix First Practice Live | ESPNU | 08:30 | 09:30 |
| Thursday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Second Practice Live | ESPNU | 12:00 | 13:00 |
| Friday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Third Practice Live | ESPN2 | 08:30 | – |
| Friday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying Live | ESPN2 | 12:00 | – |
| Saturday | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Live | ESPN2 | 12:00 | – |
| Saturday | IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg Qualifying | Peacock | 17:00 | – |
| Sunday | IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg | NBC | 12:15 | – |
Global Access with F1 TV Pro: The Ultimate Fan Experience
For dedicated Formula 1 enthusiasts in the USA, Mexico, France, Belgium, and many other countries, F1 TV Pro offers an unparalleled and comprehensive way to experience every moment of the 2024 season. With an F1 TV Pro subscription, you gain exclusive access to watch all Formula 1, F1 Academy, and Formula 2 sessions live and on-demand. Beyond the live world feed, you can immerse yourself in the race like never before with features such as:
- Onboard Cameras: Choose any of the 20 drivers’ onboard cameras and ride along with your favourite racers.
- Live Team Radio: Listen to raw, unfiltered team radio communications from all drivers, getting real-time insights into strategy and driver feedback.
- Multiple Data Streams: Access live timing, driver tracker maps, and tyre usage data to fully understand the race’s unfolding dynamics.
- Exclusive Documentaries and Archives: Dive into a rich library of F1 documentaries and historical race archives.
- Multi-device Compatibility: Watch on your TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone, never missing a moment wherever you are.
Subscribing to F1 TV Pro is the ultimate way to deepen your F1 experience. By using the link below, you not only get access to this incredible platform but also contribute to supporting RaceFans! Find out more and sign up today:
- Subscribe to watch all F1 sessions live on F1 TV Pro
Finding Local Schedules and International Coverage
If you’re located outside the UK or USA, or simply want to cross-reference times in your local timezone, several resources are available. For F1 session schedules tailored to your local time, refer to the RaceFans F1 Calendar. For detailed information on how to watch F1, IndyCar, and Formula 2 in various regions around the world, consult the links below or share information and tips with fellow fans in the comments section:
- F1 Calendar by RaceFans
- How to watch F1 around the world
- How to watch IndyCar in your region
- How to watch Formula 2 in your region
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For every F1 session this year and all the 2024 race dates, you can also easily sync with the RaceFans Google Calendar.
Related Coverage: 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Delve deeper into the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with our extensive coverage. Explore driver reactions, team insights, and in-depth analysis from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit weekend:
- Bearman’s 2024 Jeddah debut performance makes him ‘feel like an absolute idiot’
- Vowles being patient with Sargeant but expects to see “progress”
- “So I’ve got nothing to worry about?” – The best unheard team radio from Jeddah
- “Shock” of poor start to season showed need for change at Alpine – Famin
- “My tyres are dying”: Stroll’s short-lived struggle until he hit the wall
Browse all 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix articles