Here’s the full F1 Spa timetable for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. The Spa F1 schedule below includes different time zones for the GP race start time for people tuning in from other countries.
It also details the full schedule of all F1 and support series events across the weekend so you can keep up with the on-track activities. Plus gate opening times for spectators attending the race in person.
The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix takes place from Friday 28th July to Sunday 30th July. The event features a Sprint race so also includes a Sprint shootout qualifying session.
Contents
Belgian Grand Prix race weekend format
The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix is one of only 6 events on the F1 calendar this year to feature a sprint race.
The format of the different sessions across the weekend will be as follows:
Friday
- First practice session FP1 (60 mins)
- Qualifying session Q1 Q2 Q3 (60 mins)
Saturday
- Sprint Shootout – qualifying for the sprint race (45 mins)
- Sprint race (100km)
Sunday
- Race (44 laps or 120 mins)
This new-for-2023 sprint race weekend format removes the FP2 and FP3 qualifying sessions, giving the drivers just one 60 minute practice session before qualifying begins.
The qualifying session on Friday afternoon will decide the starting grid for the main Grand Prix race on Sunday.
The Sprint shootout on Saturday morning is a shorter qualifying session that decides the starting order for the Sprint race later that day. The shootout is split in to three sessions (SS1, SS2 and SS3) but each of them are only short enough for the drivers to attempt one flying lap.
The pressure of only getting one shot at a quick lap, combined with the lack of practice, may well lead to some mistakes being made when the drivers are pushing to set the fastest lap time at Spa Francorchamps.
2023 Belgian GP start time
The 2023 F1 Spa sprint race starts at 4:30pm local time on Saturday 29th July. The sprint race will last for around 14 laps of the Spa Francorchamps GP circuit layout.
The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix Formula 1 race starts at 3pm local time. The race will last for either 44 laps or 120 minutes (whichever is shorter).
F1 Spa timetable 2023
Below is the F1 Spa timetable for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The timings shown are the local circuit times in Belgium, in the Central European Summer Time (CEST) zone.
| 2023 Spa Belgian Grand Prix Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Friday 28th July | |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | Formula 1 First Practice Session - FP1 |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Formula 1 Qualifying - Q1 / Q2 / Q3 |
| Saturday 29th July | |
| 12:00 - 12:45 | Formula 1 Sprint Shootout |
| 16:30 - 17:30 | Formula 1 Sprint Race |
| Sunday 30th July | |
| 15:00 | Formula 1 Grand Prix Race |
What time is the Spa F1 race in my country?
The Spa F1 race will start at 15:00 local time (CEST) and will last for either 44 laps or 2 hours.
Below are the times for all the Belgian Grand Prix practice, qualifying, sprint and race sessions in a number of different time zones.
| Session | Circuit Local Time CEST |
PDT | CT | ET | BST (UK) | AEDT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 13:30 - Fri 28 July | 04:30 | 06:30 | 07:30 | 12:30 | 21:30 |
| Qualifying | 17:00 - Fri 28 July | 08:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 16:00 | 01:00+1 |
| Sprint Shootout | 12:00 - Sat 29 July | 03:00 | 05:00 | 06:00 | 11:00 | 20:00 |
| Sprint | 16:30 - Sat 29 July | 07:30 | 09:30 | 10:30 | 15:30 | 00:30+1 |
| Race | 15:00 - Sun 30 July | 06:00 | 08:00 | 09:00 | 14:00 | 23:00 |
What channel is the Belgian GP on?
UK viewers will be able to watch live coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix practice sessions, qualifying, Sprint shootout, Sprint race and main race on Sky Sports F1 if they have a paid subscription to that channel.
Coverage and pre-race build up usually begins around 60 to 90 minutes before the Belgian GP start time.
Highlights of the race will be available to view for free on Channel 4 at around 11:00pm on Sunday 30th July.
International broadcast information can be found on the official Formula 1 website.
Gate opening times
If you’re lucky enough to be attending the Belgian Grand Prix in person it’s important to know what time to arrive if you want to try and get one of the best general admission viewing spots.
Spa Francorchamps usually confirms the exact spectator gate opening times a few days before the event via their social feeds and email. But for reference, below are the 2022 times.
2022 F1 Spa spectator gate opening times:
- Friday – 6:00am
- Saturday – 6:00am
- Sunday – 6:00am
If you’re attending the race weekend in person here are some useful guides:
F1 Spa detailed motorsport schedule
Below is the complete motorsport schedule for the Spa Grand Prix weekend. This includes the timing for all F1 activity such as press conferences, driver parades and on-track sessions. It also includes the timings for all suppport series, which for 2023 are:
- FIA Formula 3
- FIA Formula 2
| Friday 28th July 2023 | |
|---|---|
| 09:55 - 10:40 | FIA Formula 3 Practice Session |
| 11:05 - 11:50 | FIA Formula 2 Practice Session |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | FIA F1 Car Presentation |
| 12:30 - 12:50 | Formula 1 Historic F1 Cars Demonstration |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | FORMULA 1 FIRST PRACTICE SESSION |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | FIA Formula 3 Qualifying Session |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | Formula 1 Teams Press Conference |
| 15:55 - 16:25 | FIA Formula 2 Qualifying Session |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | FORMULA 1 QUALIFYING |
| 18:00 - 18:30 | Formula 1 Press Conference |
| 18:30 - 19:15 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice Session |
| 18:35 - 19:05 | FIA Formula 3 Press Conference |
| 19:10 - 19:40 | FIA Formula 2 Press Conference |
| 19:40 - 20:10 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 19:40 - 20:10 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| Saturday 29th July 2023 | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 - 10:45 | FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race (15 Laps or 40 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 10:55 - 11:25 | Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice |
| 10:55 - 11:35 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 10:55 - 11:35 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 11:05 - 11:35 | FIA Formula 3 Press Conference |
| 12:00 - 12:44 | FORMULA 1 SPRINT SHOOTOUT |
| 13:45 - 14:35 | FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race (18 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 14:55 - 15:25 | FIA Formula 2 Press Conference |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Qualifying Session |
| 15:15 - 15:30 | Air Display Red Devils Aerobatic Display |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | FORMULA 1 SPRINT (15 Laps or 60 Mins) |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Formula 1 Press Conference |
| 17:30 - 17:50 | Formula 1 Historic F1 Cars Demonstration |
| 17:45 - 18:30 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 17:50 - 18:20 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 18:30 - 19:30 | F1 Experiences Champions Club Grid Walk & Trophy Photo |
| Sunday 30th July 2023 | |
|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:20 | FIA Formula 3 Feature Race (18 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 10:00 - 11:05 | FIA Formula 2 Feature Race (25 Laps or 60 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 11:25 - 11:55 | FIA Formula 2 Press Conference |
| 11:45 - 12:20 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) |
| 12:25 - 12:45 | Formula 1 Historic F1 Cars Demonstration |
| 12:45 - 13:15 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 12:45 - 13:45 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 12:50 - 13:20 | Formula 1 Drivers' Parade |
| 14:46 - 14:48 | Formula 1 National Anthem |
| 15:00 - 17:00 | FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX (44 LAPS OR 120 MINS) |
Hi, do you know if there will be an opportunity to meet the drivers? Sometimes they are invited to chat with the audience or to an interview?
Hi Dominika, there will be various appearances from the drivers over the weekend where they’ll do interviews on the stage in the F1 Fanzone at the bottom of Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The timings of these normally change from race to race so have a look at the specific Stage timetable when you get to the circuit.
Do you know which cars will drive at historic demonstration laps?
Hi Robin, I’m afraid I don’t know for sure for 2023, but here’s a video from the 2022 demo laps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YtgoXcBWY