The series of flyaway races to kick off the 2015 Formula 1 season continues with the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.
It’s another overnight race. Here’s the skinny on this weekend’s broadcasts:
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FORMULA ONE CHINESE GRAND PRIX – SUNDAY AT 1:30 A.M. ET ON NBCSN
Coverage of the F1 season continues on NBCSN this Sunday at 1:30 a.m. ET with the Chinese Grand Prix from Shanghai International Circuit. Two weeks ago in Malaysia, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel notched his first win with the team, defeating Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to grab the top spot on the podium for his first win since the 2013 season. Last season, Hamilton recorded his third career Chinese Grand Prix victory, the most by any driver since its inaugural race in 2004.
Live coverage begins exclusively on NBC Sports Live Extra on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET with Practice 1, followed by NBCSN’s live coverage of Practice 2 on Friday at 2 a.m. ET. Live Extra’s coverage continues Saturday at 12 a.m. ET with Practice 3, and shifts to NBCSN for qualifying at 3 a.m. ET. Live Chinese Grand Prix coverage begins Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. ET, followed by F1 Extra at 4 a.m. ET.
Lead F1 announcer Leigh Diffey will call this weekend’s action, and will be joined by veteran analyst and former racecar driver David Hobbs, and analyst and former race mechanic for the Benetton F1 team Steve Matchett. F1 insider Will Buxton will serve as the team’s on-site reporter from Shanghai International Circuit in China.
FORMULA ONE MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX ON NBCSN IS MOST-WATCHED OVERNIGHT F1 RACE ON CABLE IN 18 YEARS
NBCSN’s live coverage of the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, highlighted by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel earning his first win with his new team, was the most-watched overnight F1 race on cable in 18 years, averaging 384,000 viewers.
Viewership of the race, which aired overnight from 2:30–4:55 a.m. ET, was up 55% vs. 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix average viewership (248,000), and up 217% vs. the 2013 viewership on NBCSN (121,000).
Including the Australian Grand Prix, which was the first race of the season, NBCSN’s 2015 F1 coverage has averaged 324,000 viewers, up 31% vs. 2014 through two races (248,000), and up 163% vs. 2013 through two races (123,000). Click here for more information on 2015 F1 viewership on NBCSN.
TV TIMES: FORMULA 1, INDYCAR, MECUM AUCTIONS
| Date | Program | Time (ET) | Network |
| Thur., April 9 | Mecum Auctions: Houston | 4:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| F1 Chinese Grand Prix – Practice 1 | 10 p.m. | NBC Sports Live Extra | |
| NASCAR K&N Series: Greenville Pickens | 11 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Fri., April 10 | Mecum Auctions: Houston | 12 a.m. | NBCSN |
| F1 Chinese Grand Prix – Practice 2 | 2 a.m. | NBCSN | |
| Mecum Auctions: Houston | 1 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| INDYCAR Chronicles: James Hinchcliffe | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Sat., April 11 | F1 Chinese Grand Prix – Practice 3 | 12 a.m. | NBC Sports Live Extra |
| F1 Chinese Grand Prix – Qualifying | 3 a.m. | NBCSN | |
| Mecum Auctions: Houston | 2 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| IndyCar Grand Prix of Louisiana – Qualifying | 5 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Sun., April 12 | F1 Chinese Grand Prix | 1:30 a.m. | NBCSN |
| F1 Extra | 4 a.m. | NBCSN | |
| IndyCar Grand Prix of Louisiana | 2:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Mecum Auctions: Houston | 7 p.m. | NBCSN |