You've probably been watching the crown jewel of the calendar for years. You wake up, grab a coffee, and wait for that tight shot of the Sainte-Dévote corner. But there is a massive shift happening for the 2026 season that is going to mess with your internal clock. For the first time in recent memory, the f1 monaco start time isn't tucked away in late May. It's moving.
Seriously. If you show up in front of your TV on the last weekend of May 2026, you’re going to be watching highlights of the Canadian Grand Prix instead.
The FIA and Formula 1 management decided to shuffle the deck to make the calendar "more regional." Basically, they’re trying to stop the circus from flying back and forth across the Atlantic like a confused migratory bird. Because of this, Monaco has been pushed into June. It’s a big deal. It changes the light, it changes the temperature, and it definitely changes when you need to set your alarm.
The F1 Monaco Start Time and the 2026 Weekend Schedule
Let's get straight to the numbers because that's why you're here. For the 2026 season, the main event—the Grand Prix itself—is officially slated for Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The lights will go out at 15:00 local time (CEST).
If you are watching from the UK, that's a 14:00 BST start. For the fans over in the States, you’re looking at a 9:00 AM ET start, which is actually a bit more civilized than some of the early-morning Asian rounds.
Honestly, the schedule is packed. It isn't just about the Sunday race. Monaco is a four-day festival, even if the F1 cars only hit the track Friday through Sunday now. Gone are the days when F1 practiced on Thursday and took Friday off to let the locals go shopping.
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Here is how the weekend breaks down:
Friday, June 5, 2026
The first time the 2026-spec cars—with those brand new power units and active aerodynamics—will scream past the Fairmont Hotel is during Free Practice 1 at 13:30 local time. They'll follow that up with Free Practice 2 at 17:00. This late afternoon session is usually the best indicator of who has the mechanical grip to survive the bumps.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
This is arguably the most important day in Monte Carlo. Since passing is nearly impossible, qualifying is the real race. FP3 starts at 12:30, giving teams one last chance to stop the cars from bottoming out. Then, the big one: Qualifying begins at 16:00 local time.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
The race starts at 15:00 local. You'll want to be tuned in by 14:00 for the driver's parade and the pre-race pageantry. There is nothing quite like seeing the yachts in the harbor while the national anthem plays.
Why the June Move Matters
Why did they change it? The calendar used to go Miami, then Europe (usually Imola and Monaco), then a random hop to Montreal, then back to Europe. It was a logistical nightmare and a carbon footprint disaster.
By moving the f1 monaco start time and date to June 7, it allows F1 to pair the North American races together earlier in May. It makes sense. It’s logical. But for purists, it feels... weird.
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The weather in Monte Carlo in early June is slightly different than late May. You’re looking at average highs of 23°C (73°F). It’s stickier. That matters for tire degradation. If the track temperature spikes because of the June sun, those Pirelli softs might not last as long as they used to.
Also, keep in mind that 2026 is the year of the "New Regulations." The cars will be smaller and lighter. They are designed to be more nimble, which is exactly what you need when you're trying to thread a needle at 150mph between Armco barriers.
Historical Context: When Monaco Was Different
We forget that Monaco hasn't always been a Sunday afternoon affair. Back in the day, the race was tied to Ascension Day, which is why they had that weird Friday break. The 15:00 start time we see now is a relatively modern "European standard" designed to capture the largest television audience possible.
In 2026, we are also seeing a change in the "Global" feel of the race. With the Canadian GP moving to May 24, Monaco now acts as the gateway to the heart of the European season.
There's a specific tension that builds up during a Monaco weekend. Because the f1 monaco start time is mid-afternoon, the shadows in the harbor start to get long toward the end of the race. Driving through the tunnel at 180mph and coming out into the blinding Mediterranean sun is hard enough; doing it when the sun is lower in the June sky adds another layer of "nope" for the drivers.
Realities of Watching Live
If you're actually going—lucky you—the "start time" is just a suggestion for when you should be in your seat. The track closes to public traffic as early as 5:00 AM on Sunday. If you aren't inside the circuit by 10:00 AM, you’re going to be fighting through a sea of linen shirts and oversized sunglasses.
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Most people don't realize that the support races are just as loud. You'll have Formula 2 and Formula 3 screaming through the streets starting as early as 8:00 AM.
- F3 Feature Race: 08:00
- F2 Feature Race: 09:40
- Porsche Supercup: 12:00
- The Main Event: 15:00
It is a long day. Bring water. Or a very large credit card for the trackside bars.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Race
Don't get caught out by the date change. Most calendar apps haven't updated for the 2026 shift yet because they're still focused on the current season.
- Update Your Calendar: Manually block out June 5–7, 2026. Do not rely on "standard" F1 weekend patterns.
- Check Your Time Zone: If you're in Australia, the race starts at 11:00 PM (AEST). If you're on the West Coast of the US, it's a 6:00 AM start.
- Set Alerts for Qualifying: In Monaco, Saturday is the real race. If you miss the 16:00 (local) qualifying session, you've missed 90% of the weekend's excitement.
- Follow the Support Series: Watch the F2 race at 09:40. It’s often more chaotic than the F1 race and gives you a great look at how the track is rubbering in.
The move to June is a permanent shift for the foreseeable future. Get used to the new rhythm. The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix is going to be a historical outlier—a new era of cars on a new date, but with the same unforgiving walls.
Next Steps: You should verify your local broadcaster's 2026 rights, as several major TV contracts are up for renewal before the June 7 race date. Keeping an eye on the official F1 app for "gate opening" times is also essential if you're planning to attend in person.