Full 2016 Formula 1 on NBC grand prix race schedule, air times and networks - MotorSportsTalk

NBC Sports Group has today announced its schedule for the 2016 Formula 1 season including air times and networks ahead of the opening race in Australia this weekend.

NBC Sports Group will air a record-breaking 21 F1 races live in 2016, split across NBCSN (14), NBC (4) and CNBC (3) as well as offering comprehensive coverage on the NBC Sports Live Extra streaming app.

This weekend’s Australian Grand Prix will act as the curtain-raiser for the new season, with both Friday practice sessions being shown live along with qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s race.

More than 200 hours of F1 coverage will be shown across the NBC Sports Group networks this year, with the opening five races of the year being broadcast on NBCSN.

The first NBC race will be the famous Monaco Grand Prix on May 29, with the first North American race of the year in Canada also being shown on NBC on June 12.

The inaugural European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan will be shown on NBCSN one week later before a run of three races on CNBC in Austria, Britain and Hungary.

Following its recent confirmation, the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas will be shown live on NBC on October 23. The Mexican Grand Prix will also be shown on NBC one week later.

The 2016 season will come to a close under the lights in Abu Dhabi on November 27 on NBCSN, capping off a record-breaking calendar.

In addition to the extensive live coverage, Live Extra streaming will also enhance race coverage with dedicated feeds including:

On-Board Feed – Live Extra’s dedicated channel for live on-board cameras
Pit Lane Feed – Live Extra’s dedicated channel on pit lane featuring all pit stops and team communication
Driver Tracker – real-time data showing where all 22 cars are on track

Here is the full schedule for Formula 1 on NBC this year. All times are ET.

2016 FORMULA ONE SCHEDULE
Date	Grand Prix	Time	Network
Sun., March 20	Australian Grand Prix	12:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., April 3	Bahrain Grand Prix	10:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., April 16	Chinese Grand Prix	1:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., May 1	Russian Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., May 15	Spanish Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., May 29	Monaco Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBC
Sun., June 12	Canadian Grand Prix	1:30 p.m.	NBC
Sun., June 19	European Grand Prix	8:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 3	Austrian Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	CNBC
Sun., July 10	British Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	CNBC
Sun., July 24	Hungarian Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	CNBC
Sun., July 31	German Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., August 28	Belgian Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., September 4	Italian Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., September 18	Singapore Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., October 1	Malaysian Grand Prix	2:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., October 8	Japanese Grand Prix	12:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., October 23	United States Grand Prix	2:30 p.m.	NBC
Sun., October 30	Mexican Grand Prix	2:30 p.m.	NBC
Sun., November 13	Brazilian Grand Prix	10:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., November 27	Abu Dhabi Grand Prix	7:30 a.m.	NBCSN

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IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championship contender Tom Blomqvist put the Meyer Shank Racing Acura at the front of the starting lineup for the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Road Atlanta.

Blomqvist turned a 1-minute, 8.55-second lap on the 2.54-mile circuit Friday to capture his third pole position for MSR this season. Earl Bamber qualified second in the No. 02 Cadillac for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Ricky Taylor was third in the No. 10 Acura of Wayne Taylor Racing, which enters Saturday’s season finale with a 19-point lead over the No. 60 of Blomqvist and Oliver Jarvis (who will be joined by Helio Castroneves) for the 10-hour race.

PETIT LE MANS STARTING GRID: Click here for the starting lineup l Lineup by car number

PETIT LE MANS: Info on how to watch

With the pole, MSR sliced the deficit to 14 points behind WTR, which will field the trio of Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque and Brendon Hartley in Saturday’s race.

“We really needed to put the car in this kind of position,” Blomqvist said. “It makes our life a little less stressful tomorrow. It would have given the No. 10 a bit more breathing space. It’s going to be a proper dogfight tomorrow. The guys gave me such a great car. It’s been fantastic this week so far, and it really came alive. I’m hugely thankful to the boys and girls at MSR for giving me the wagon today to execute my job.

“That was a big effort from me. I knew how important it was. It’s just awesome for the guys to give them some sort of reward as well. It’s always nice to be quick. If you do the pole, you know you’ve got a quick car.”

Though WTR has a series-leading four victories with the No. 10, MSR won the Rolex 24 at Daytona and has five runner-up finishes along with its three poles.

The strong performances of the ARX-05s ensure that an Acura will win the final championship in IMSA’s premier Daytona Prototype international (DPi) division, which is being rebranded as Grand Touring Prototype in the move to LMDh cars next season.

Taylor qualified third despite sliding into the Turn 5 gravel during the closing minutes of qualifying while pushing to gain points.

“Qualifying was important for points,” Taylor said. “Going into it, if we outqualified the No. 60 Meyer Shank Acura, they had a lot to lose in terms of championship points. So, we were trying to increase the gap over 20 points which would’ve made a big difference for tomorrow. We would have loved to get the pole and qualify ahead of the No. 60, but in the scheme of the points, it didn’t change a whole lot. I’m feeling good since it’s such a long race, and the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura team does such a good job strategizing and putting us in a good position.

“I’m very confident in our lineup and our team compared to them over the course of 10 hours. I’d put my two teammates up against those guys any day. I think we are all feeling optimistic and strong for tomorrow.”

In other divisions, PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports (LMP2), Riley Motorsports (LMP3), VasserSullivan (GTD Pro) and Paul Miller Racing (GTD) captured pole positions.

The broadcast of the 10-hour race will begin Saturday at 12:10-3 p.m. ET on NBC, moving at 7 p.m. to USA Network. Peacock will have flag-to-flag coverage.

QUALIFYING

Results

Results by class

Fastest lap by driver

Fastest lap by driver after qualifying

Fastest lap by driver and class after qualifying

Fastest lap sequence in qualifying

Best sector times in qualifying

Time cards in qualifying

PRACTICE RESULTS: Session I l Session II l Session III