This weekend, Formula One finally returns to racing action, with the Belgian Grand Prix 2019. All 10 teams will be raring to go at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit, a favourite among teams and drivers. Everybody has had a good four weeks to recuperate and recharge their batteries for the battle ahead.
Meanwhile, others like Red Bull, elected to break the internet with a sudden mid-season swap. In addition to that, the rumour mill continued processing and all sorts of crazy rumours flew about.
Coming back to the Belgian Grand Prix 2019 though, the circuit is well-known for being a “driver’s circuit”. It provides plenty of challenges and sometimes, even the weather plays a role. As always, the racing action will always be broadcast across the world.
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In the absence of a Dutch Grand Prix, Spa is a second home for Max Verstappen, as he is half Belgian. So, the vast majority of fans flocking to the circuit will mostly be decked up in orange, though not to be confused with McLaren fans.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports has the exclusive broadcast rights of the Belgian Grand Prix 2019. However, rival British network, Channel 4, can show the highlights of the qualifying and the race. In the United States, all sessions, right from practice, can be viewed on ESPN2 and ESPNU.
In India, Practice, Qualifying and the Race will be shown on Star Sports Select 2 and Star Sports Select 2 HD. For the continent of Africa, Supersport will be handling the broadcast of the race.
In Albania, the fans will be using RTSH to watch all the sessions and the race. In Asia and Australia, Fox Sports is the main broadcaster for the Belgian Grand Prix 2019. Austria depends of ORF, Azerbaijan on AZ TV, Belgian fans who cannot make it to the race, will be watching from RTBF.
Brazil has TV Globo, Bulgaria has Nova, Canada has RDS, China depends on CCTV, Cyprus has Cytavision. Croatian viewers can catch the race on Croatia Telekom, while Czech Republic and Slovakian viewers use Sport1, Sport2 and Sport3. Danish fans can watch their local hero, Kevin Magnussen on TV3+, while in countries like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, their broadcaster are yet to be confirmed.
Eurasia depends on Setanta Sports, while Finnish fans can tune in to MTV to watch Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas. France will be able to watch the Renault team and Romain Grosjean on TF1 and Canal+. RTL Germany is the official broadcaster for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. ERT shows the race in Greece and M4 in Hungary, Channel 2 sport in Iceland, Eir Sport in Ireland and The Sports Channel in Israel.
Italy has Sky Italia, Japan has Fuji Television Network, Kosovo has Sport Klub, Latin America uses Fox Sports. Channel N24 shows the race in Macedonia, while Mexico has Channel 9 Televisa.
In addition to all that, there will be radio coverage of the race as well, especially in the UK, where it will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Lewis Hamilton will look to extend his 62-point championship lead after enjoying the best start to his season. Soon, he will be well on course to become just the second driver in history to win six world titles.
But Valtteri Bottas is fast being caught by Max Verstappen for second in the standings, with just seven points separating the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers respectively.
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The weekend schedule is as follows:
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Session | Time |
Practice 1 | 11:00AM-12:30PM Local Time (14:30PM-16:00PM IST) |
Practice 2 | 15:00PM-16:30PM Local Time (18:30PM-20:00PM IST) |
Practice 3 | 12:00PM-13:00PM Local Time (15:30PM-16:30PM IST) |
Qualifying | 15:00PM-16:00PM Local Time (18:30PM-19:30PM IST) |
Race | 15:10PM Local Time (18:40PM IST) |