Bahrain's Grand Prix Qualifying: When And Where To Watch

The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula 1 race that takes place annually and is hosted in the Middle East. The 2024 F1 season began on 28 February and ended on 2 March, with qualifying taking place on Friday, 1 March at 7 pm local time (4 pm GMT). The entire Bahrain GP weekend was shifted forward by one day compared to its regular schedule due to the start of Ramadan on Sunday, 10 March. The race itself took place on Saturday, 2 March at 10 am ET.

Qualifying start time: 7 pm local time (4 pm GMT)

The Bahrain Grand Prix is a Formula 1 race that takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit. The 2024 F1 season started following pre-season testing in Bahrain, with the Bahrain GP taking place on Saturday 2nd March 2024.

Qualifying for the Bahrain GP started at 7 pm local time (4 pm GMT) on Friday 1st March 2024. The entire Bahrain GP weekend was shifted forward by one day compared to its regular schedule due to the start of Ramadan on Sunday 10th March, and to ensure a one-week gap between the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs, which took place on Saturday 9th March 2024.

The qualifying session used the regular Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout format. In the UK, live coverage of the qualifying session was broadcast on Sky Sports F1, with highlights available on Channel 4.

Bahrain GP schedule: qualifying on Friday, race on Saturday

The 2024 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix takes place from 29 February to 2 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The race will be broadcast live around the world.

The race will follow the traditional format of practice, qualifying, and the race itself. However, due to scheduling changes, the race weekend will start a day earlier than usual, with practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday, and the Grand Prix on Saturday. This is to avoid a clash with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which starts on 10 March, the day the Saudi Arabian race would normally take place.

Qualifying for the Bahrain GP will begin at 7 pm local time (+3 GMT) on Friday, 1 March 2024. This is a change from the usual schedule, where qualifying takes place on Saturday. The qualifying session will be made up of Q1, Q2, and Q3.

The Bahrain GP is the season opener for the 2024 Formula 1 season, with the race taking place over 57 laps of the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit. The race will start at 3 pm local time on Saturday, 2 March 2024.

Lewis Hamilton topped Thursday practice times

Lewis Hamilton topped the Thursday practice times for Mercedes ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. The Bahrain GP will run to a different schedule from most races, with the race taking place on Saturday night. The first of the two practice sessions was held on Thursday, followed by FP3 and qualifying on Friday.

Hamilton was 0.206 seconds quicker than his teammate George Russell, with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso just 0.08 seconds further adrift. Pre-season favourite Max Verstappen was down in sixth, 0.477 seconds off the pace. However, the three-time world champion appeared to be the fastest as expected when the teams switched to race-simulation runs later in the session.

The teams did not run this practice session in the same manner as usual, making it even harder to read from the outside. Under the floodlights as darkness descended on the Persian Gulf island state, Hamilton set the pace straight from the start on softs at 1m30.751s, initially two-tenths clear of Alonso and Leclerc.

Verstappen was only fourth after his first soft run, although he improved to third after taking a second push lap. However, he was still four-tenths off the pace. Hamilton bolted on a second set of softs just before the halfway point to record a faster time of 1m30.374s, four-tenths clear of Ferrari's testing pacesetter Carlos Sainz and Piastri.

Max Verstappen won the battle against Ferrari and finished on pole

Max Verstappen, the Dutch-Belgian racing driver, has been making waves in the world of Formula One. At the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen secured his 10th consecutive victory, breaking a Formula 1 record previously held by Sebastian Vettel. This win demonstrated Verstappen's resilience and strategic prowess as he started the race in second place behind Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

Verstappen's impressive performance didn't stop there. At the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, he achieved his fifth career grand slam, showcasing his dominance in the sport. He followed this up with another pole position and victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking his 100th Formula One podium. Verstappen's success continued with yet another pole and victory at the Australian Grand Prix, further extending his winning streak.

However, his streak came to an end at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he matched Ayrton Senna's record of eight consecutive poles but had to settle for a second-place finish. Despite this minor setback, Verstappen remains a force to be reckoned with in Formula One, consistently showcasing his exceptional driving skills and strategic decision-making.

The 2024 F1 season is off to a thrilling start, and with Verstappen's impressive performances, it's clear that he and his Red Bull team will be strong contenders throughout the rest of the season. With his talent, determination, and record-breaking achievements, Verstappen is solidifying his place in the history of Formula One.

Live radio coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website

The Bahrain Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event in the world of Formula 1 racing. For those who want to follow the action closely, live radio coverage is a great option. Here's everything you need to know about the live radio coverage for the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying:

Live Radio Coverage:

For listeners in the United Kingdom, live radio coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying is readily available on multiple platforms. The event will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport website. These platforms provide comprehensive coverage of the entire F1 season, ensuring that fans don't miss a moment of the action.

Timing:

The Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying session took place on Friday, March 1, 2024, with a unique schedule shift due to Ramadan. The session started at 7 pm local time in Bahrain, which corresponds to 4 pm GMT. This timing ensures that the race complies with the one-week gap rule between grands prix, as the subsequent Saudi Arabian GP was scheduled for Saturday, March 9.

Radio Coverage Start Time:

To catch the qualifying session on radio, listeners can tune in starting at 4:00 pm GMT. BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app will bring all the excitement straight to you. This timing ensures that radio listeners can follow the session live from the beginning, providing an immersive experience.

Radio as a Medium:

Radio coverage offers a unique way to experience the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying. Listeners can tune in and follow the action as it unfolds, using their imagination to visualize the high-speed racing and strategic maneuvers. The radio broadcast adds a layer of excitement and allows fans to stay connected to the sport, even if they are not able to watch the event on television or in person.

Additional Information:

It's worth noting that the Bahrain Grand Prix is just the beginning of the 2024 F1 season, with subsequent races taking place around the globe. Each race has its own unique schedule, and fans can follow the live radio coverage on the same platforms for ongoing updates and insights throughout the season.

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