Bahrain Grand Prix 2024: Start time UK, grid positions, weather forecast, how to watch F1 on TV today
The 2024 Formula One season is upon us with the Bahrain Grand Prix to be led off by pole-sitter Max Verstappen this afternoon.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain pointed towards another season of Verstappen dominance in the Red Bull, with Adrian Newey appearing to pull off another masterclass in designing a car that is somehow better than last year’s imperious machine. They will also hope minds are focused on the track after the latest incident in the investigation into Christian Horner.
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Of course, everybody is even on zero points until the chequered flag is flown and there is still hope that Ferrari can take the fight to them as well as Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin.
Thursday practice saw Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton clock the respective fastest times, with there appearing to be some chinks in the Red Bull armour particularly over one lap. Final practice on Friday then belonged to Carlos Sainz.
But the race pace clocked by Verstappen and Sergio Perez looked strong all weekend and the Dutchman backed that up by taking pole position in qualifying. Charles Leclerc and George Russell will start second and third, respectively.
Whatever the result, Bahrain is not always the most representative of race tracks. Only three of the last seven winners in Sakhir have gone on to lift the world championship, including Verstappen in a 2023 when he won basically every grand prix anyway.
How the new F1 campaign pans out will be an intriguing watch with the coming fortnight featuring two races which, unusually, take place on a Saturday.
Bahrain Grand Prix start time
The race takes place today, Saturday, March 2, 2024 and is scheduled to start at 3pm GMT.
With the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a week later taking place on a Saturday due to Ramadan, this weekend’s event was moved forward a day to fall in line.
Bahrain Grand Prix grid positions
Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1min 29.179secs
Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:29.407
George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:29.485
Carlos Sainz Jr (Spa) Ferrari 1:29.507
Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1:29.537
Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:29.542
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:29.614
Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:29.683
Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:29.710
Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:30.502
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:30.129
Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:30.200
Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:30.221
Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) RB 1:30.278
Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:30.529
Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:30.756
Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:30.757
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams 1:30.770
Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:30.793
Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:30.948
Bahrain Grand Prix weather forecast
It has been a rather unusually cold and windy stint in the Middle East for F1, with temperatures expected to be a mild 18ºC come lights out. The wind is expected to have died down by then, at least, with no chance of rain.
How to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix
TV channel: In the UK, the race is being broadcast on Sky Sports F1. Free highlights of the race will air on Channel 4 at 7.50pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers able to watch on the Sky Go app.
Live blog: You can follow latest updates from the race via Standard Sport’s live blog!
