How to watch the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
08 September 2026Formula 1 makes history this week as the championship heads to Madrid, with the Spanish Grand Prix moving to a brand-new home at the Madring circuit from 11-13 September.
For UK fans following from home, there are several ways to catch every session of this landmark weekend.
Here's everything you need to know about watching the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix on UK TV.
Where to watch the Spanish Grand Prix 2026
UK fans have two reliable routes to watching every session live from the new Madring circuit.
Sky Sports F1
Every practice session, Qualifying and the Spanish Grand Prix itself will be shown live on Sky Sports F1, the UK's dedicated home of Formula 1.
A Sky TV subscription with Sky Sports added unlocks the whole weekend, along with pre- and post-session analysis, paddock interviews and build-up throughout.
NOW
Don't have a Sky contract? NOW carries identical live coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix without one.
NOW's Sports membership unlocks every Sky Sports channel, Sky Sports F1 included, while a single day pass works well if Madrid is the only round you're planning to watch live.
Is the Spanish Grand Prix on Channel 4?
No, as with every round bar the British Grand Prix, Channel 4 does not carry the Spanish Grand Prix live. Sky holds exclusive UK live rights to the rest of the season, and Channel 4's free-to-air deal covers highlights only for every other race, including this one.
Those highlights of Qualifying and the race will still air free on Channel 4 and its streaming platforms, typically later the same day.
F1 TV Pro won't help UK viewers watch live either: its race broadcasts are geo-blocked here because of Sky's exclusivity, though the service can still be used to catch up afterwards.
What time is the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
The Spanish Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday, 13 September, with lights out at 14:00 UK time (15:00 local time in Madrid). Here's the full session schedule for the weekend.
Date | UK Time | Local Time | Session |
Friday, 11 September | 12:30 | 13:30 | Free Practice 1 |
Friday, 11 September | 16:00 | 17:00 | Free Practice 2 |
Saturday, 12 September | 11:30 | 12:30 | Free Practice 3 |
Saturday, 12 September | 15:00 | 16:00 | Qualifying |
Sunday, 13 September | 14:00 | 15:00 | Spanish Grand Prix |
All UK times are BST; local time in Madrid (CEST) is one hour ahead. Check F1.com or the F1 app for any late schedule changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Spanish Grand Prix live on Channel 4?
No. Channel 4's live coverage is reserved for the British Grand Prix each year — every other round, including this one from Madrid, gets free highlights instead.
What channel is the Spanish Grand Prix on?
Sky Sports F1 carries every session live, NOW offers the same coverage on a contract-free basis, and Channel 4 shows free highlights afterwards.
When is the Spanish Grand Prix?
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix runs from Friday, 11 September to Sunday, 13 September, with the race starting at 14:00 UK time on Sunday.
Is F1 TV Pro available in the UK?
No. Sky's exclusive rights mean F1 TV Pro's live race coverage is blocked in the UK, though highlights and replays are still accessible.
