2018 Newcastle 500, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix : guide

FOX Sports coverage of the Newcastle 500 begins today with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also revs up this weekend.

FOX Sports expert commentator and five-time Supercars champion, Mark Skaife, said: “Throughout the 2018 season we’ve seen these two young kiwis, McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen, representing two top teams, DJR Team Penske and Red Bull Holden Racing Team, and two top brands in a classic Holden and Ford battle.”

“Given it’s only the second year of racing at the Newcastle circuit, it will present’s a level playing field with teams and drivers still learning how to perfect this tight and bumpy layout.

“In terms of form there’s 2 big take outs leading into this weekend– Red Bull HRT have been the benchmark on street circuits this season with Van Gisbergen dominating in Adelaide plus team victories in Townsville. While Mclaughlin has always been good at street circuits, this year he has shown a higher level of maturity after letting the title slip in 2017, it is a very intriguing battle between two of the best kiwis since Jim Richards – you couldn’t script it more perfectly.

“To add a bit more spice to a cracking weekend it will be the final chance to see Craig Lowndes racing full time. It will be an emotional weekend for him and he will be as motivated ever to finish on a high.”

The biggest prize in Australian motorsport is up for grabs this weekend on the streets of Newcastle, when Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen fight for the Supercars championship title, with every session Live from Friday, November 23 on FOX Sports, on Foxtel.

Your home of motorsport, FOX Sports, will ensure fans don’t miss a second of this epic battle on the concrete-lined streets of the seaside Newcastle circuit, when it’s Live, ad-break free and in HD for every practice, qualifying session and 500km of racing.

After 29 races and 4,500 points on offer only 14 points separate Ford’s McLaughlin and Holden’s Van Gisbergen when they battle it out over two 250km races to decide the 2018 champion.

FOX Sports will deliver unprecedented coverage of the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 with Mark Skaife, Russell Ingall and Jess Yates, starting Live from the Driver autograph session on the ground in Newcastle with Supercars Trackside at 4.30pm AEDT on Thursday, previewing a big weekend of on-track action.

On Friday, November 23 Live from 11.30am AEDT, Supercars will hit the streets of Steel City for the first time, with coverage on Saturday and Sunday Live with no ad-breaks during racing in the season finale.

Joining the grand final theme will be the final round of the Formula One season with the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Live from the Yas Marina Circuit.

In his last race for Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo will be gunning for a victory before joining Renault next season, however 2018 world champion Lewis Hamilton will take some beating when he looks to make it seven straight wins to round out the year.

FOX Sports News will be on the ground in Newcastle with reporter Chris Stubbs throughout the weekend.

Supercars Championship
Newcastle 500

Thurs 22 Nov
Supercars Trackside at 4.30pm
FOX Sports 506

Fri 23 Nov
Coverage from 11.30am
FOX Sports 506

Sat 24 Nov
Coverage from 9.25am
Qualifying at 11.35am
Race at 3.45pm
FOX Sports 506

Sun 25 Nov
Coverage from 8.40am
Top 10 shootout 12.50pm
Race at 3.40pm
FOX Sports 506

Broadcast pointer: The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 IS Live and ad-break free during racing this weekend on FOX Sports

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Fri 23 Nov
Practice from 7.45pm

FOX Sports 506
Sat 24 Nov
Coverage from 8.45pm, Qualifying at 12.00am

FOX Sports 506
Sun 25 Nov
Coverage from 10.30pm, Race start 12.10am

FOX Sports 506
Broadcast pointer: See Daniel Ricciardo’s last race with Red Bull when the Formula 1® Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is Live and Exclusive from 10.30pm Sunday on FOX Sports.

All times in AEDT.