F1 on TV: Dates, Channels & Start Times
Looking for F1 today? The schedule above shows the latest confirmed session times from the current race weekend, including practice sessions, qualifying and the Grand Prix. Session times vary depending on the location of the race, with European rounds usually taking place in the afternoon UK time while races in Australia, Asia and the Americas are often scheduled earlier in the day or later in the evening. During a race weekend there is typically track action across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the Grand Prix itself taking place on the final day.
What Time is the F1 Race Today?
F1 race start times depend on the host country and time zone. Many European races begin around 2pm UK time, while races held in the Middle East often take place in the early evening. Events in the United States and South America are usually scheduled later at night for UK viewers, and races in Australia or Japan can start early in the morning. The confirmed start time for today’s race is always listed in the schedule above so you can quickly check when lights out takes place.
Formula 1 Weekend Schedule Explained
Each F1 Grand Prix weekend follows a consistent format, with three days of on-track action leading up to the race. Practice sessions take place on Friday, giving teams time to prepare and gather data. Qualifying is held on Saturday and determines the starting grid for the race. The Grand Prix takes place on Sunday and is the main event of the weekend. Some race weekends also include Sprint events, which introduce an additional shorter race and alter the qualifying format. The full session schedule for each race weekend is shown in our listings so you can see exactly when each session is being broadcast.
Where to Watch Formula 1 on TV in the UK
Formula 1 coverage in the UK is primarily shown on Sky Sports, which broadcasts every practice session, qualifying session and race live throughout the season. Sky Sports F1 provides dedicated coverage of each Grand Prix weekend together with analysis, interviews and additional programming.
Channel 4 also shows F1 highlights and selected live races each season, including the British Grand Prix. Highlights programmes are typically broadcast later on the day of the race, allowing viewers to catch up on the key moments.
Formula 1 Calendar & Key Races
The Formula 1 season usually begins in March, with the opening rounds often held in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia before the calendar moves to Australia shortly after. These early races mark the start of the championship and give the first indication of how teams and drivers are performing over a full race distance. April continues the early part of the season with additional rounds in Asia or the Middle East, depending on the yearly calendar.
May and June are centred around the European portion of the season, which includes some of the most established races on the calendar. The Monaco Grand Prix is traditionally held in late May, followed by a run of races across circuits in countries such as Spain, Austria and France. This period forms the backbone of the early European schedule.
July and August represent the peak of the European summer stretch, with races such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps taking place during this time. The Hungarian Grand Prix is also typically held before the mid-season summer break, after which the season resumes towards the end of August.
September and October see the calendar move beyond Europe, with races held in locations such as Italy, Singapore, Japan and the United States. This stage of the season often includes a mix of long-standing events and newer additions to the calendar, as the championship battle begins to take shape heading into the final rounds.
The final part of the season takes place in November and December, with races usually held in the Americas and the Middle East. Events such as the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix bring the campaign to a close, with Abu Dhabi traditionally hosting the final race of the season and deciding the championship standings.