Formula 1 has returned after a week off, with the Qatar Grand Prix taking place under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit.
It is notably taking place in a sprint format — the fourth of six designated Grands Prix for 2023.
Australian rookie Oscar Piastri continued his ascent by winning Saturday's sprint race in an impressive showing from pole position.
He will start the main race from P6, with Max Verstappen — fresh off securing his third consecutive drivers' championship — beginning from P1.
The Sporting News has all the key details and timings below.
MORE: When will Daniel Ricciardo return from injury?
F1 Qatar Grand Prix: Race start time in Australia
With Qatar eight hours behind the east coast of Australia, the race will begin at 4:00 am AEDT on Monday, October 9 — a rude change from the convenient afternoon timing of the last race in Japan.
Drivers will complete 57 laps around the Lusail International Circuit.
Why is Daniel Ricciardo not racing for AlphaTauri in Qatar?
AlphaTauri driver Ricciardo suffered a hand injury following a crash in practice at Zandvoort, with hospital results showing he had broken a metacarpal in his left hand.
Since undergoing surgery, he has missed the Italian, Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix.
MORE: Ricciardo and Tsunoda to race for AlphaTauri in 2024
The Australian is also skipping the race in Qatar, with his team in no hurry to put him back behind the wheel.
Reserve driver and Red Bull junior Liam Lawson is continuing on as his replacement.
F1 Qatar Grand Prix: Full weekend schedule, times
A full breakdown of the 2023 F1 Qatar Grand Prix weekend schedule is below (all times in AEDT):
| Session | Date | Start time | Approx. finish |
| Practice 1 | Sat. Oct. 7 | 12:30 am | 1:30 am |
| Qualifying | Sat. Oct. 7 | 4:00 am | 5:00 am |
| Sprint shootout | Sun. Oct. 8 | 12:00 am | 12:45 am |
| Sprint race | Sun. Oct. 8 | 4:30 am | 5:30 am |
| Race | Mon. Oct. 9 | 4:00 am | 5:45 am |
*+1 day
How to watch the F1 Qatar Grand Prix in Australia on TV
Fans based Down Under can catch all the action on Fox Sports (Channel 506).
Coverage begins one hour before lights out.
How to live stream the F1 Qatar Grand Prix in Australia
The Qatar Grand Prix can be streamed in Australia on Kayo Sports or Foxtel Go.
