F1 Sprint Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV

F1 Sprint Races are back for 2024 and we have the full lowdown on Friday's big Sprint Qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix.

F1 heads to Shanghai this weekend for the fifth round of the season after a five-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ MORE: F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Full track layout for Shanghai International Circuit

The Shanghai International Circuit will be abuzz with anticipation as it not only marks the return of the Chinese GP but also ushers in the first Sprint race of the 2024 season.

Introduced in 2021, the 100-kilometre Sprint race injects a shot of adrenaline into the traditional Grand Prix schedule. However, the format has changed this year as the Sprint Qualifying session, which decides the starting grid for the Sprint race, has been moved to Friday after the free practice.

The Sprint race will then be held on Saturday, followed by the traditional qualifying session, which sets the stage for the main race on Sunday.

Now, let's take a look at the Sprint qualifying time and how you can catch all the action from Shanghai.

READ MORE: F1 sprint races: How do they work and what are the changes for 2024?

When does Sprint Qualifying start?

The first Sprint shootout of the season at the Chinese GP kicks off today (Friday, April 19), at 3:30pm local time. Find the session start times converted to your local time zone below:

Local time (China): 3:30pm Friday
UK time: 8:30am Friday
Central European Time (CEST): 9:30am Friday
United States (EDT): 3:30am Friday
United States (CDT): 2:30am Friday
United States (PDT): 12:30am Friday
Australia (Melbourne): 5:30pm Friday
South Africa: 9:30am Friday

READ MORE: F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai

How to watch Sprint Qualifying live on TV today

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

United Kingdom: Sky Sports
United States: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
China: CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten
Netherlands: Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
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
Hungary: M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
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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