The 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most exciting in the sport’s history, with major regulation changes set to shake up the grid. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the pinnacle of motorsport, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about the F1 2026 calendar, session times across global timezones, and how to stay on top of every qualifying session and race start.
When Does the 2026 F1 Season Start?
The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship kicks off on 13-15 March 2026 at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. This marks an early-season Asian swing before the series heads to Japan and then crosses the globe for an action-packed 21-race calendar running through to December.
The season finale takes place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4-6 December 2026 at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit — traditionally the stage for dramatic championship deciders.
Complete F1 2026 Race Calendar
Here’s your full rundown of every Grand Prix weekend:
- Round 1: Chinese Grand Prix — Shanghai, China · 13-15 Mar
- Round 2: Japanese Grand Prix — Suzuka, Japan · 27-29 Mar
- Round 3: Miami Grand Prix — Miami, USA · 1-3 May
- Round 4: Canadian Grand Prix — Montreal, Canada · 22-24 May
- Round 5: Monaco Grand Prix — Monte Carlo · 5-7 Jun
- Round 6: Catalunya Grand Prix — Barcelona, Spain · 12-14 Jun
- Round 7: Austrian Grand Prix — Red Bull Ring, Austria · 26-28 Jun
- Round 8: British Grand Prix — Silverstone, UK · 3-5 Jul
- Round 9: Belgian Grand Prix — Spa, Belgium · 17-19 Jul
- Round 10: Hungarian Grand Prix — Hungaroring, Hungary · 24-26 Jul
- Round 11: Dutch Grand Prix — Zandvoort, Netherlands · 21-23 Aug
- Round 12: Italian Grand Prix — Monza, Italy · 4-6 Sept
- Round 13: Spanish Grand Prix — Madrid, Spain · 11-13 Sept
- Round 14: Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Baku, Azerbaijan · 24-26 Sept
- Round 15: Singapore Grand Prix — Singapore · 9-11 Oct
- Round 16: United States Grand Prix — COTA, USA · 23-25 Oct
- Round 17: Mexico City Grand Prix — Mexico City, Mexico · 30 Oct - 1 Nov
- Round 18: São Paulo Grand Prix — Interlagos, Brazil · 6-8 Nov
- Round 19: Las Vegas Grand Prix — Las Vegas, USA · 19-21 Nov
- Round 20: Qatar Grand Prix — Lusail, Qatar · 27-29 Nov
- Round 21: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Yas Marina, UAE · 4-6 Dec
Pro tip: Many of these weekends feature support series like Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porsche Supercup. With The Racing Line app, you can follow all 220+ motorsport series in one place — perfect for maximising your race weekend viewing.
F1 Session Times: Global Timezone Conversions
F1’s global calendar means races happen at varying times depending on your location. Here’s how typical session times convert across key timezones:
European Races (Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza)
- UK (BST): Race start typically 14:00-15:00
- Central Europe (CEST): 15:00-16:00
- US Eastern (ET): 09:00-10:00
- US Pacific (PT): 06:00-07:00
- Australia Eastern (AEST): 23:00-00:00
Asian Races (China, Japan, Singapore)
- UK (GMT/BST): Early morning starts, 06:00-08:00
- Central Europe (CET/CEST): 07:00-09:00
- US Eastern (ET): 01:00-03:00 (overnight)
- US Pacific (PT): 22:00-00:00 (previous evening)
- Australia Eastern (AEST/AEDT): 17:00-19:00
Americas Races (Miami, COTA, Las Vegas)
- UK (GMT): Late evening, 19:00-22:00
- Central Europe (CET): 20:00-23:00
- US Eastern (ET): 14:00-17:00
- US Pacific (PT): 11:00-14:00
- Australia Eastern (AEDT): 06:00-09:00 (next morning)
How to Watch Formula 1 in 2026
F1 coverage varies by region, with geo-restricted services including:
- F1TV (Europe, USA) — Full live coverage and archives
- Sky Sports F1 / NOW TV (UK) — Dedicated F1 channel
- Kayo Sports (Australia) — Streaming platform
With broadcasts spread across different platforms, keeping track of session times can be challenging — especially with overnight races.
Never Miss a Session with The Racing Line App
This is where The Racing Line becomes your essential F1 companion. Available free on iOS and Android, the app delivers:
- Smart Notifications: Customise alerts by series, session type, and lead time. Get reminded 30 minutes before qualifying or 1 hour before lights out — you choose.
- Complete Race Calendar: Every session time automatically converted to your local timezone. No more missed alarm calculations.
- 220+ Series Coverage: Following F2, F3, or Porsche Supercup alongside F1? Track everything in one app.
Whether it’s a 6am wake-up call for Suzuka or a midnight reminder for Singapore, The Racing Line ensures you’re always ready when the lights go out.
Your 2026 F1 Season Starts Here
With 21 Grands Prix spanning five continents, the 2026 Formula 1 season offers more action than ever. Download The Racing Line today and transform how you follow the world’s premier single-seater championship — never miss a moment of the drama.
