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F1 Tuscan GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

The Formula 1 action continues with the final stint of the latest triple-header a new trip to Mugello for the Tuscan Grand Prix. Here's how to watch qualifying

Following a thrilling Italian GP with a surprise winner in Pierre Gasly, F1 is set for more potential shocks heading to Mugello - a new track on the 2020 calendar since it was redrawn in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a strong opening day at Mugello by topping both Friday practice sessions, with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton slotting into second place in FP2 despite finding the track a "serious" challenge.

But it was a bad start to the Tuscan GP weekend for Lando Norris who crashed his McLaren heavily in FP2, forcing him to miss most of the afternoon session.

While all teams have been getting to grips with the circuit and tyres on the track, off-track talk has been dominated by the confirmation of Sebastian Vettel's move to Racing Point - which will be rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

It forces Sergio Perez to split from the team at the end of this season and he felt "nobody told me anything" of his impending Racing Point exit, something that the team has gone on to refute.

Back on the track, Red Bull appear to be the closest challenges to Mercedes once again, with Max Verstappen ending FP2 in third place while under pressure team-mate Alexander Albon slotted in fourth ahead of Renault duo Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon.

With Perez seventh and Gasly eighth in the afternoon session, Kimi Raikkonen led the Ferrari-powered cars in ninth place for Alfa Romeo despite clashing with Perez during FP2. Perez has duly been handed a one-place grid penalty for the Tuscan GP for his clash with Raikkonen during second practice.

On Ferrari's 1000th F1 race, Charles Leclerc could only manage 10th place in practice with team-mate Vettel in 12th as both drivers suffered spins in the second session.

What time does qualifying for the Tuscan Grand Prix start?

Qualifying for the Tuscan GP starts at 3pm local time (2pm BST), using the regular Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout session format.

Date: Saturday 12 September 2020

Start time: 3pm local time - 2pm BST

How can I watch qualifying?

In the United Kingdom every F1 practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying coverage starting at 1pm BST.

Channel 4 is broadcasting highlights of qualifying for the Tuscan GP at 7:30pm BST.

Autosport will be running a live text coverage of qualifying.

What's the weather forecast for qualifying at Mugello?

Sunny and dry conditions are forecast throughout Saturday at Mugello with a minimal chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to see highs of 29 degrees Celsius, which is set to be the same temperature FP2 was held in.

Why is F1 racing at Mugello?

Due to the redrafted 2020 F1 calendar following the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent cancellation of 13 races, series bosses have scrambled to produce a campaign of a minimum of eight races to meet FIA world championship criteria along with reaching a minimum of 15 races to fulfil the TV broadcasting deal.

As well as hosting double-headers at the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and Bahrain, F1 will also head to venues not on the original 2020 calendar, with Mugello the first of the new destinations.

Traditionally the home of MotoGP's Italian GP, Mugello is owned by Ferrari and a deal has been struck for it to host a one-off race to coincide with the Italian manufacturer's 1000th grand prix world championship event.

The Tuscan GP also provided a logistical solution for F1 to end its latest triple-header following on from the recent back-to-back races at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.

FP2 results

Pos Driver Car Gap
1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1m16.989s
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 0.207s
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda 0.246s
4 Alexander Albon Red Bull/Honda 0.982s
5 Daniel Ricciardo Renault 1.050s
6 Esteban Ocon Renault 1.126s
7 Sergio Perez Racing Point/Mercedes 1.209s
8 Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri/Honda 1.255s
9 Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 1.396s
10 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1.411s
11 Lance Stroll Racing Point/Mercedes 1.473s
12 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1.509s
13 Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren/Renault 1.662s
14 Lando Norris McLaren/Renault 1.669s
15 Daniil Kvyat AlphaTauri/Honda 1.747s
16 George Russell Williams/Mercedes 1.854s
17 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 1.955s
18 Nicholas Latifi Williams/Mercedes 1.994s
19 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 2.124s
20 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 2.268s

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