Photo by Ayman Yaqoob/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The 2023 F1 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix, here is how, and what, to watch
Pre-season testing is over and it is time to go racing for real. Formula 1 returns to the track this week, as the teams are in Bahrain for the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the 2023 season.
This year is a critical season for the sport. It is the second year under the current aerodynamic regulations, so teams enter 2023 with a much better picture of how the regulations impact the cars on the track. In addition, with the cost-cap findings from a season ago, defending Constructors’ Champions Red Bull enter the year having seen their wind tunnel time reduced by 10% during the off-season.
Beyond those storylines, F1 continues its push into the United States with three races stateside this season, including the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
It all gets underway this week. Here is how to watch, and what to watch for.
How To Watch:
Practice 1 – Friday March 3 – 6:25 a.m. – ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
Practice 2 – Friday March 3 – 9:55 a.m. – ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
F1 Show: Bahrain – Friday March 3 – 12:00 p.m. – ESPN3/WatchESPN
Practice 3 – Saturday March 4 – 6:25 a.m. – ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
Qualifying – Saturday March 4 – 9:55 a.m. – ESPN2/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
F1: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook – Saturday March 4 – 11:45 a.m. ESPN3/WatchESPN
Grand Prix Sunday (Pre-race Show) – Sunday March 5 – 8:30 a.m. – ESPN/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
Grand Prix Race – Sunday March 5 – 9:55 a.m. – ESPN/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN
F1: Checkered Flag – Sunday March 5 – 12:00 p.m. – ESPN3/WatchESPN
ESPN Post-Race Show – Sunday March 5 – 12:00 p.m. – ESPN3/WatchESPN
F1: Ted’s Race Notebook – Sunday March 5 – 1:00 p.m. – ESPN3/WatchESPN
Grand Prix Race (Replay) – Sunday March 5 – 10:30 p.m. – ESPNNews/WatchESPN
What to Watch:
Here are some of the major storylines heading into the first race of the season.
Will Lance Stroll be behind the wheel for Aston Martin after his training injury?
Is Red Bull as strong as they showed during pre-season testing?
Is Aston Martin, and their 2023 challenger the AMR23, as strong as they showed last week?
Has Mercedes solved their aerodynamic issues from 2022?
Does Ferrari have a problem with tyre degradation?
How will the three F1 rookies — Logan Sargeant, Nyck de Vries, and Oscar Piastri — fare in their debut campaigns?
Is there reason for hope over at Haas?
Will we see a true battle at the top this year in both the Drivers’ Championship, as well as the Constructors’ Championship?
