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Qatar Grand Prix 2024: Race Date, Kickoff Time, and Broadcast Schedule

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ce-date-kickoff-time-and-broadcast-schedule.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 1:12 GMT by Sporting News

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Qatar Grand Prix 2024: Race Time, Broadcast Schedule, and How to Tune In

The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix is set to be the most talked‑about addition to the Formula 1 calendar in years. For fans who are planning a weekend of racing, the Sporting News article “F1 Qatar Grand Prix race start time & channel schedule” (https://www.sportingnews.com/us/formula-1/news/f1-qatar-grand-prix-race-start-time-channel-schedule/e22e032f2eca6a4a5f604f7a) lays out everything you need to know—from the exact kickoff moment to the best way to catch every lap on TV or online. Below is a detailed rundown of that information, organized into the key points that matter most to viewers.

1. The “When” – Race Date & Kickoff Time

Race Date: Saturday, April 28, 2024
Race Start Time (Local, Qatar Standard Time – UTC + 3): 10:00 AM
Equivalent Times (US Eastern & Pacific):
- Eastern Time (ET): 3:00 AM
- Central Time (CT): 2:00 AM
- Mountain Time (MT): 1:00 AM
- Pacific Time (PT): 12:00 AM

While the start time is in the pre‑morning hours for U.S. audiences, the Sporting News article emphasizes that this is a “day‑time” race in Qatar, making it more accessible for local fans and for those in other Middle Eastern or Asian markets. The early U.S. start is a compromise: it allows for a full‑day coverage package (practice, qualifying, race) to be shown later in the evening on cable and streaming platforms.

2. The “Where” – Broadcast Channels & Platforms

The article details a three‑tier broadcast strategy that should satisfy every kind of F1 fan:

Important: All of these platforms stream the race in HD and include standard race‑day features such as live timing, driver audio, and the official F1 commentary team.

3. The “Why” – Why This Schedule Makes Sense

The Sporting News piece explains that Qatar’s extreme summer heat necessitates a “daytime” schedule to protect drivers, crew, and spectators. By starting the race at 10:00 AM local time, the event can avoid the mid‑afternoon heat spike while still delivering a race that fits neatly into the U.S. broadcast window. It also allows the local fans (who are mostly in the GMT + 3 time zone) to watch the event live during daylight hours, which is ideal for both in‑track attendance and television viewership.

The article also references the “new” Lusail International Circuit—a 5.4 km track that has a reputation for being both fast and technically demanding. That reputation means the race will be highly competitive, which is a reason why the broadcasters are offering a “full‑package” coverage, including all practice and qualifying sessions.

4. The “How” – Step‑by‑Step for Fans Who Want to Watch

1. Check Your Cable Provider
   - Confirm that CBS Sports is in your lineup. If you’re in a region where CBS isn’t available, you’ll need to subscribe to the streaming options.

2. Subscribe to a Streaming Service (if needed)
   - ESPN+: Requires a separate subscription. If you already have ESPN+, the race is included.
   - F1 TV: Requires a F1 TV Global subscription. This is often cheaper than ESPN+.
   - CBS All Access: If you have a CBS or Paramount+ subscription, you can stream the race via the CBS app.

3. Time‑Zone Check
   - Create a countdown or set a reminder for the U.S. live broadcast at 8:00 PM ET.
   - If you’re a “global” fan, you can also watch the race live on F1 TV or ESPN+ at 10:00 AM local time.

4. Optional Extras
   - Driver Audio: Available on F1 TV and some CBS packages.
   - Team Radio: Often included on ESPN+ and F1 TV.
   - Replays: CBS Sports and ESPN+ provide replays for a full week after the race.

5. Prepare for Delays
   - Because the race start in Qatar is early for the U.S., the article notes that the “live” feed on CBS will begin a few hours after the race finishes, meaning you might see the start of the race a few minutes into the broadcast. The live stream on CBS All Access or ESPN+ will show the actual start.

5. Additional Context: How the Qatar GP Fits Into the 2024 Calendar

The Sporting News article also gives a quick look at how the Qatar GP slots into the overall season:

• Pre‑season: The race is the first official F1 event in the Middle East since the Bahrain Grand Prix (2011‑2018).
• Season Sequence: It comes after the Australian Grand Prix (March) and before the Bahrain GP (April 28‑30).
• Track Layout: The new Lusail circuit is a 5.4‑kilometer track with 17 turns. It has been lauded for its “smooth, high‑speed flow,” which could lead to high‑speeds and high‑downforce battles.
• Track Conditions: Due to Qatar’s climate, the track temperature can climb above 35 °C (95 °F), prompting the race to be scheduled in the morning to keep temperatures manageable.

6. Links & Further Reading

The Sporting News article includes several clickable references that add depth:

• Official Formula 1 Schedule – A link to the full season schedule on the F1 website.
• Lusail International Circuit Details – A page detailing the circuit’s history and technical specs.
• Broadcast Guide – A quick link to the F1 TV streaming page.
• Local Weather Forecast – A link to a local weather site that forecasts track temperatures for the race weekend.

These links help fans prepare for the specific challenges of watching a race in a hot climate, such as planning hydration, choosing the right viewing spot for optimal screen visibility, and understanding how the track’s temperature affects tire strategy.

7. Bottom Line

The Sporting News article does an excellent job of distilling the essential information for fans who want to see the Qatar Grand Prix in full glory. The key take‑away is that the race starts at 10:00 AM local time, which translates to a late‑night/early‑morning start in the U.S. The primary broadcast on CBS Sports begins at 8:00 PM ET to capture the entire race, while streaming platforms like ESPN+, F1 TV, and CBS All Access give you more flexibility to catch the action in real time or at your convenience.

Whether you’re a casual fan, a die‑hard enthusiast, or a logistics‑savvy professional trying to plan a weekend around the event, the article’s “channel schedule” and “race start time” information will keep you on track. Just remember to double‑check your local time zone, subscribe to the correct streaming platform, and set a reminder for the 8:00 PM ET live broadcast on CBS. Then you’ll be ready to watch the first F1 race in Qatar and experience the roar of the new Lusail circuit, no matter where you’re tuning in from.