F1 Race Start Times: US Viewing Guide For 2026 Season
F1 Race Start Times: US Viewing Guide For 2026 Season...
Formula 1 fans across the U.S. are searching for race start times as the 2026 season kicks off this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The surge in searches comes as ESPN prepares to broadcast all 24 races live, with most events airing in morning or midday slots for American viewers.
The season opener in Bahrain begins at 10:00 AM ET on Sunday, March 13, with qualifying scheduled for Saturday at the same time. This marks the first race under new technical regulations that promise closer competition between teams. Viewership is expected to break records after last season's dramatic championship battle.
Unlike traditional U.S. sports, F1 races occur at varying times due to international locations. The upcoming Saudi Arabian GP (March 20) starts at 12:00 PM ET, while the Australian GP (April 2) will air at 1:00 AM ET - one of the few night races for American audiences.
ESPN has confirmed all races will stream live on their platform and F1 TV Pro. The network has seen a 28% increase in U.S. viewership since 2022, fueled by Netflix's "Drive to Survive" series and three American races on the calendar (Miami, Austin, Las Vegas).
F1 officials report over 1 million ticket requests for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, which will start at 10:00 PM local time to create a prime-time spectacle. The time zone-friendly event is projected to be the most-watched race in U.S. history.
For West Coast fans, most European races will air between 6:00-9:00 AM PT. The complete 2026 schedule with U.S. start times is available on Formula1.com and the official F1 app, which sends personalized reminders based on location.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told reporters yesterday: "The American fanbase has become crucial to our sport. We're adjusting our media engagements to accommodate these new viewing patterns." The F1 Academy women's series will also air on ESPN this season, with races scheduled before main Grand Prix events.
