F1 Qualifying Times Draw US Interest Ahead Of Bahrain Grand Prix

F1 Qualifying Times Draw US Interest Ahead Of Bahrain Grand Prix...

Formula 1 fans across the U.S. are searching for qualifying session times as the 2026 season kicks off this weekend in Bahrain. The heightened interest follows last year's record-breaking U.S. viewership and three American-hosted races on this year's calendar.

Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix begins Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM ET (3:00 PM local time). ESPN will broadcast the session live, with streaming available through F1 TV Pro. The event marks the first competitive outing for redesigned cars under new technical regulations.

Searches for "what time is F1 qualifying" spiked 320% this week according to Google Trends data. The surge reflects growing American engagement with the sport, fueled by Netflix's "Drive to Survive" series and the success of U.S. driver Logan Sargeant.

This year's schedule includes three U.S. races: the Miami Grand Prix (May 7), Austin's Circuit of the Americas (October 22), and the new Las Vegas night race (November 18). All qualifying sessions will air in prime time for U.S. audiences.

F1 officials report U.S. merchandise sales increased 45% during the offseason. The sport now ranks as the second-most watched motorsport in America behind NASCAR, with particularly strong growth among 18-34 year olds.

Teams completed preseason testing in Bahrain last week, with Ferrari showing surprising pace against reigning champions Red Bull. The qualifying results will provide the first true indicator of competitive order for 2026.