F1 live stream: Malaysian Grand Prix start time, TV schedule, and how to watch online

Lewis Hamilton has a golden opportunity to increase his lead in the Drivers Championship standings thanks to the fact that his top competition, Sebastian Vettel, will start from the back of the grid for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The race will take place early in the day in Malaysia, which translates to a start time of 3 a.m. ET on Sunday. The race will be broadcast by NBCSN in the United States, with live streaming available online via NBC Sports.

Hamilton has his Mercedes on pole, just beating out Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari for the spot. Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, will start fifth on the grid as the two Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo locked out the second row.

Vettel is starting from the back because he did not log a time in qualifying due to a power unit problem. He was quickest on the grid in practice and was looking forward to picking up some points to take the fight back to Hamilton in the championship standings.

Now he’s looking at serious damage control.

“You never know what happens, how the race turns out,” Vettel said. “The Safety Car could bring me back or whatever.”

Vettel neglected to give a prediction for where he’ll end up or what he’s aiming for. He wants to win the race, but that’s going to be nearly impossible even with Ferrari’s excellent pace at the Sepang International Circuit. Vettel did not finish the Singapore Grand Prix due to a first lap incident that saw himself, Raikkonen and Verstappen all eliminated.

Sunday’s race will be the first race of Pierre Gasly, formerly a Toro Rosso reserve driver. Gasly is taking over for Daniil Kvyat, who has struggled this season and has seemed directionless. With Carlos Sainz Jr. leaving for Renault in 2018, it makes sense to give Gasly some time in the car. He’ll start 15th on the grid, behind Sainz.

Esteban Ocon of Force India has the sixth spot, rounding out the third row next to Bottas. Then it’s Stoffel Vandoorne of McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg of Renault, Sergio Perez of Force India and Fernando Alonso of McLaren rounding out the top 10 on the grid.

Below is all you need to know to watch the action, and below that is the full starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Date: Oct. 1, 2017

Location: Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur

Time: 3 a.m. ET

TV: NBCSN

Online Streaming: NBC Sports Live