Australian start times for race, qualifying, practice, schedule, how to live stream, standings, weather

Formula 1 returns to Sin City after a 40-year hiatus with the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend.

While the title race is done and dusted thanks to dominant Max Verstappen, the hype is still off the charts ahead of a 50-lap race around the Nevada city’s iconic streets.

“Vegas is going to be the biggest sporting event on the planet this year. I mean, it’s going to be insane, that race,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner said. “I’ve never seen interest in a Grand Prix like this one.”

Here’s everything you need to know, including the full schedule with prime time start times for Australian viewers.

Watch the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix SUN 19th NOV 5PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

WHAT IS IT?

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the 23rd event on this season’s calendar and the third race of the season to be held in the USA.

Las Vegas previously staged two F1 races – in 1981 and 1982 — but the scale of this event is far greater, with the return to the city a key strategic play for Liberty Media, the owners of F1.

The new 6.2km, 17-turn street circuit, called Las Vegas Strip Circuit, winds its way past iconic locations like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian. It’s set up to be an extremely fast circuit and there promises to be plenty of action and overtaking.

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WHEN IS IT ON?

The action begins on Friday (AEDT), with two practice sessions, before another practice and qualifying on Saturday. The race will be held at 5pm AEDT on Sunday afternoon.

Here is the full schedule with AEDT dates and times

FRIDAY

Practice 1 – 3.30pm

Practice 2 – 7pm

SATURDAY

Practice 3 – 3.30pm

Qualifying – 7pm

SUNDAY

Race – 5pm

HOW TO WATCH?

You can watch every minute of every session, with plenty of analysis and reaction pre and post-racing, on Kayo and Fox Sports.

If you haven’t already, join Kayo now and start streaming instantly.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST?

While most associate the desert with heat, this event could actually end up being the coldest race in F1 history.

The temperature drops rapidly at night in Vegas November and with sessions starting at midnight local time, it could be as low as 5 degrees Celcius come race time.

The promises for some intriguing implications for the teams and their tyres, though it is forecast to remain dry throughout the weekend.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT STANDINGS?

Max Verstappen has already sealed another world title but the battle behind him remains alive. Lewis Hamilton must outscore Sergio Perez by seven points to keep the race for second going.