The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix will be the destination where Max Verstappen is crowned three-time Formula 1 champion; Verstappen could become champion on Saturday after the Sprint Race; you can watch every session of the Sprint Weekend live on Sky Sports F1
Last updated: 09/29/23 4:56 PM
Max Verstappen is on the cusp of a third consecutive title and could secure the 2023 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday – live on Sky Sports.
Verstappen leads Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez with 177 points, with only 180 points available in the remaining six events.
It means that sixth place or higher for Verstappen in next Saturday’s Sprint Race at the Losail International Circuit will be enough to win the title, whatever Perez does.
The races have remained live on Sky Sports F1 in 2023
| Date | Grand prize | British race start time |
|---|---|---|
| October 6-8 | GP Qatar* | 6 p.m |
| October 20-22 | United States GP* | 8 p.m |
| October 27-29 | GP of Mexico City | 8 p.m |
| November 3-5 | GP of São Paulo* | 5 p.m |
| November 17-19 | GP of Las Vegas | 6 hours |
| November 24-26 | Abu Dhabi GP | 1 o’clock in the afternoon |
| *Sprint weekend |
Red Bull last won the Constructors’ Championship at Suzuka and Verstappen is aiming to win for the first time in Qatar after finishing second behind Lewis Hamilton in the only previous event there in 2021.
McLaren should be strong again and will hope to repeat their double podium with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, while Mercedes and Ferrari will go head-to-head in a big battle for second place in the constructors’ standings.
Every session of the fourth sprint weekend of the season will be live on Sky Sports F1, with Qualifying on Friday at 6:00 PM, Sprint on Saturday at 6:30 PM and lights out for Sunday’s race at 6:00 PM.
Top 10 Drivers’ Championship after 17 rounds
| Director | Team | Points |
| 1)Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 400 |
| 2) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 223 |
| 3)Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 190 |
| 4) Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 174 |
| 5) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 150 |
| 6) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 135 |
| 7) George Russell | Mercedes | 115 |
| 8) Lando Norris | McLaren | 115 |
| 9)Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 57 |
| 10) Lance walk | Aston Martin | 47 |
Top five Constructors’ Championship after 17 rounds
| Team | Points |
| 1) Red Bull | 623 |
| 2) Mercedes | 305 |
| 3) Ferrari | 185 |
| 4) Aston Martin | 221 |
| 5) McLaren | 172 |
When can you only watch the Qatar GP live on Sky Sports F1?
Thursday October 5
- 4 p.m.: Drivers’ press conference
Friday October 6
- 2:00 PM: Qatar GP Practice One (session starts 2:30 PM)
- 5:00 PM: Qatar GP qualifying build-up
- 6 p.m.: Qatar GP qualifying
- 8:00 PM: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Saturday October 7
- 1:30 PM: Sprint Shootout setup
- 2 p.m.: Sprint shootout
- 5:30 PM: Sprint build-up
- 6:30 PM: SPRINT
- 8:00 PM: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
Sunday October 8
- 4.30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday: build-up of the Qatar GP
- 6:00 PM: THE QATAR GRAND PRIZE
- 8 p.m.: Checkered flag: Qatar GP response
- 9pm: Ted’s notebook
Will Max Verstappen complete his third world championship at the first attempt at the Qatar GP? Watch every session of the sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from October 6 to 8. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW for £21 a month for six months