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Portuguese Grand Prix: What TV channel is it on and how can I watch F1 this weekend?

Formula One heads to the Algarve International Circuit for the first time this weekend (Getty)
Formula One heads to the Algarve International Circuit for the first time this weekend (Getty)

Lewis Hamilton could take a giant step towards a seventh world championship this weekend if he manages to break Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 career Grand Prix wins as the Portuguese Grand Prix returns for the first time in 24 years.

Portimao stages the event for the very first time, with the undulating Algarve International Circuit set to challenge the grid with the unknown in what is a one-off event for 2020.

Hamilton takes a huge 69-point lead in the drivers’ championship into the weekend, and he knows that another victory on Sunday would not only break Schumacher’s 14-year record, but see him take a three-race advantage over his nearest challenger in Valtteri Bottas with only five races remaining.

The weekend will represent a step into the unknown though, with the majority of the grid having never raced around the Portimao track - including Hamilton himself - given it has never staged a Grand Prix before. The Portuguese round, which used to be staged at Estoril, disappeared from the calendar back in 1997, but returns due to the coronavirus-affected season revamp that sees it arrive as the second of four consecutive unfamiliar venues.

The track uncertainty is not the only thing for drivers to worry about though, with weather once again likely to interfere over the course of the weekend. Both Friday and Saturday should be significantly better - and warmer - than at the Nurburgring, but Sunday’s race could well be affected by rain if the forecast is anything to go by.

When is the Portuguese Grand Prix?

The Portuguese Grand Prix takes place on 23-25 October 2020.

What time does each session start?

FRIDAY

Free Practice 1: 11am - 12:30pm BST

Free Practice 2: 3pm - 4:30pm BST

SATURDAY

Free Practice 3: 11am - 12pm BST

Qualifying: 2pm - 3pm BST

SUNDAY

Race: 1:10pm - 3:10pm GMT

TV schedule

FRIDAY

Free Practice 1: 10:30am - 12:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event)

Free Practice 2: 2:45pm - 4:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

SATURDAY

Free Practice 3: 10:45am - 12:10pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

Qualifying: 1pm - 3:35pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

SUNDAY

Race: 11:30am - 4pm GMT (Sky Sports F1)

Race highlights: 5:30pm - 6:30pm GMT (Sky One), 6:30pm - 9pm (Channel 4)

If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

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