You’ve settled in for the weekend, snacks ready, only to realise you’re not sure when the Formula 1 race actually starts. Whether it’s qualifying, the sprint, or the main event, finding the exact start time for today’s session can be confusing with shifting time zones and multiple broadcasters.
Number of races in 2026 F1 season: 24 ·
Typical race start time (UK): 14:00–21:00 BST ·
Next race start time (example): 9:00pm BST (Sun 24 May 2026) ·
Qualifying start time (example): 9:00pm BST (Sat 23 May 2026) ·
Sprint start time (example): 5:00pm BST (Sat 23 May 2026) ·
F1 race duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
Quick snapshot
- Abu Dhabi GP is the final race of the 2026 season (Formula1.com – official F1 website).
- Qualifying always takes place on Saturday (Formula1.com – official F1 website).
- Exact lights-out times for future races without official announcement (Silverstone – circuit operator).
- TV schedule changes may occur (Motorsport Tickets – ticket vendor).
- Friday: Free Practice sessions (Silverstone – circuit operator).
- Saturday: Sprint (if applicable) and Qualifying (Sky Sports – UK broadcaster).
- Sunday: Race (lights out) (Formula1.com – official F1 website).
- 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone from 3-5 July (Silverstone – circuit operator).
- Race start: Sunday 5 July 2026 at 15:00 BST (Silverstone – circuit operator).
Four key facts from the F1 schedule show a clear pattern: race weekends always follow the same three-day structure, but start times vary by session and circuit.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total races in 2026 season | 24 |
| First race | Melbourne, March |
| Last race | Abu Dhabi, November |
| Average race duration | 1.5 hours |
What are the F1 race timings?
The 2026 season includes 24 races across the globe, and the start time for each race depends on the circuit’s local time zone. Official timings are published well in advance on the Formula1.com – official F1 website and ESPN – sports network. For UK viewers, many European races start between 14:00 and 15:00 BST, while flyaway events in Asia, North America, and the Middle East can see start times as late as 21:00 BST.
The race itself lasts approximately 1.5 hours, but the full weekend schedule includes practice, sprint, and qualifying sessions that spread across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The implication: planning your weekend around a single fixed time is risky—always refer to the official source for the exact round.
What time is the F1 race today?
Finding the exact start time for today’s session requires three quick steps.
- Check official F1 calendar – The quickest source is the official Formula1.com – official F1 website which lists every session with local and often multiple time zones. For example, the Canadian Grand Prix race on Sunday 24 May 2026 starts at 21:00 BST.
- Use Sky Sports schedule – Sky Sports F1 publishes a dedicated schedule page with all live coverage times. According to Sky Sports – UK broadcaster, the Sprint on Saturday 23 May 2026 begins at 5:00pm BST, followed by Qualifying at 9:00pm BST, and the Race on Sunday at 9:00pm BST.
- Verify timezone conversion – Time zone differences can trip you up. A race that starts at 15:00 local time in Europe is 14:00 BST, but a race in Brazil might be 18:00 BST. Always confirm the time in your local zone using a converter like ESPN – sports network which shows times in ET, and then convert to your region.
Even official timetables may change due to weather or TV scheduling adjustments. Silverstone’s 2026 timetable explicitly states it is “subject to change” (Silverstone – circuit operator). Always double-check on the day.
What time is F1 qualifying today?
Qualifying usually takes place on Saturday
Qualifying sets the grid for Sunday’s race and almost always occurs on Saturday. The session lasts about one hour and is broken into three segments (Q1, Q2, Q3). For the current weekend (example Canadian GP), Sky Sports lists Qualifying at 9:00pm BST on Saturday 23 May.
Start times are listed on ESPN and BBC Sport
For the 2026 British Grand Prix, ESPN shows Qualifying at 11:00 AM ET on Saturday 4 July 2026 (which converts to 16:00 BST). Silverstone confirms the same: Sprint Qualifying on Friday 3 July and Sprint on Saturday morning, with Grand Prix Qualifying likely on Saturday afternoon.
Example: Saturday qualifying at 21:00 BST
If you’re watching the Canadian GP, Qualifying is at 9:00pm BST. For the British GP, Qualifying is expected around 16:00 BST on Saturday. The pattern is clear: Saturday, late afternoon or early evening in the UK.
What time is F1 on TV today?
Sky Sports F1 channel schedule
Sky Sports F1 holds exclusive live broadcast rights in the UK. Their schedule page lists all sessions live, including practice, sprint, qualifying, and the race. For the Canadian GP weekend, Sky Sports shows live coverage from Saturday morning through Sunday night.
Channel 4 highlights
Channel 4 airs free-to-air highlights of every Grand Prix. Typically, highlights appear a few hours after the race ends. Check Channel 4 – UK broadcaster for exact times, as they vary by race.
Live streaming options
F1 TV Pro is the official streaming service, offering live coverage of every session, onboard cameras, and archives. Available in many countries including the UK, it costs approximately £20 per month. For a full guide, visit F1 TV Pro – official F1 streaming service.
What time is lights out at a Grand Prix?
Lights out signals race start
“Lights out” is the moment the five red lights go out and the race begins. This is the official start time of the Grand Prix. The phrase is used interchangeably with “race start time.”
Typically on Sunday afternoon/evening
Most races start on Sunday between early afternoon and late evening local time. For UK viewers, European races usually start at 14:00 or 15:00 BST, while overseas races can start as late as 21:00 BST (e.g., the Canadian GP or Abu Dhabi GP).
Example: Abu Dhabi GP lights out at 17:00 local time
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the final round of the 2026 season, traditionally starts at 17:00 local time (UAE Standard Time). For UK fans, that converts to 13:00 GMT or 14:00 BST depending on the month. Always verify with the official Formula1.com – official F1 website.
Typical race weekend timeline
A Grand Prix weekend follows a predictable rhythm, though the exact session start times shift by circuit. Here’s the general outline for the 2026 season.
- Friday: Free Practice 1 and 2 (typically morning and early afternoon local time). For the British GP at Silverstone, FP1 runs 12:30–13:30 BST (Silverstone – circuit operator).
- Saturday: Sprint (if applicable) and Qualifying. Canadian GP Sprint at 5pm BST, Qualifying at 9pm BST (Silverstone – circuit operator). British GP Sprint Qualifying Friday afternoon, Sprint Saturday morning, Qualifying Saturday afternoon.
- Sunday: Race (lights out). British GP race starts 15:00 BST (from Silverstone – circuit operator).
The pattern is consistent, but start times can shift by up to 10 hours across the season. UK fans of the Canadian GP need to stay up until 9pm BST, while those watching the British GP can enjoy an afternoon race. Knowing the timeline helps you plan your weekend.
What we know for sure – and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Abu Dhabi GP is the final race of the 2026 season (Formula1.com – official F1 website).
- Qualifying always occurs on Saturday (Formula1.com – official F1 website).
- Race duration is approximately 1.5 hours.
What’s unclear
- Exact lights-out times for races without official announcements – always check closer to the date (Silverstone – circuit operator).
- TV schedule changes may happen – for example, Channel 4 highlights times can vary.
- The full 2026 schedule is yet to be officially confirmed by F1 (Motorsport Tickets – ticket vendor).
- Silverstone’s published timetable explicitly states it is subject to change (Silverstone – circuit operator).
Quotes from the paddock
All timings are subject to change.
– Silverstone official timetable (Silverstone – circuit operator)
The 2026 schedule is yet to be confirmed.
– Motorsport Tickets (Motorsport Tickets – ticket vendor)
These reminders from organisers underline the importance of checking official sites on the day of the race or qualifying session.
Related reading: What time is F1 today in the UK: race start time, qualifying, and TV schedule · F1 schedule and race times
For the most up-to-date details on session start times, check the F1 qualifying times today guide for the full 2026 schedule and TV listings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find today’s F1 race time if I’m in a different timezone?
Use the official Formula1.com calendar – official F1 website which shows times in multiple zones, or convert the local time using a tool like timeanddate.com.
Does F1 qualifying always happen on Saturday?
Yes, qualifying takes place on Saturday, except in unusual circumstances. The session lasts about one hour.
What is the difference between Sprint and Qualifying?
Sprint is a short race (about 100km) on Saturday that determines grid positions for Sunday’s main race. Qualifying is a timed session on Saturday that sets the grid for the Sprint or the main race, depending on the weekend format.
How long does an F1 race last?
Approximately 1.5 hours, though the time limit is 2 hours if the race is interrupted by red flags.
Can I watch F1 live on YouTube?
No, F1 does not broadcast live races on YouTube. Official live coverage is via Sky Sports (UK) or F1 TV Pro (streaming). YouTube offers highlights and analysis after the race.
What time does the F1 race start in Eastern Time?
Eastern Time start times vary. For example, the 2026 British Grand Prix race starts at 10:00 AM ET (converted from 15:00 BST) per ESPN – sports network.
Why do F1 start times vary by race?
Start times are set by the local promoter in consultation with F1 and broadcasters. Factors include daylight, local audience preferences, and global TV slots.
For UK fans wondering “what time is f1 today”, the answer is a few clicks away: check the official F1 calendar, your broadcaster’s schedule, and always confirm the time zone conversion. The difference between missing lights out and being ready is those 60 seconds of verification.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.