If you’re staring at your screen wondering what time does f1 start today, I’ve got some news: you won’t see cars hitting the apex at 200 mph quite yet. Not in a race, anyway. We are currently in the heart of "Launch Season."
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. While the actual lights-out for the first Grand Prix is still a few weeks away, today is arguably one of the biggest days of the preseason. Why? Because the reigning champions are pulling the silk off their new era.
The Big Reveal: Red Bull and Ford Take the Stage
Honestly, the hype for today is mostly centered on Detroit. For the first time, we’re seeing the fruit of the Red Bull and Ford partnership in the flesh. This isn't just a "new car" day; it’s the birth of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era.
If you are looking for the exact broadcast times for the launch events happening today, January 15:
- Ford Motorsport Season Launch: This kicks off at 7:00 PM Local Time (EST) in Detroit. For those in the UK, that's midnight (technically early Friday morning).
- Red Bull & Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) Joint Launch: The main event where we see the liveries starts at 10:00 PM EST.
You can catch these livestreams on Red Bull TV or the official Formula 1 YouTube channel. It’s a late one for the European fans—4:00 AM CET—but seeing the first 100% sustainable fuel-ready challengers is kinda worth the coffee, right?
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Why the 2026 Start Time Is Different
You’ve probably noticed the calendar looks a bit "off" compared to last year. Usually, we’re used to the season kicking off in the desert heat of Bahrain. Not this time.
Because of the timing of Ramadan in 2026, the Middle Eastern races have been pushed back to April. This means the official F1 start time for the first race of the season is actually in Melbourne, Australia, on March 8, 2026.
Here is how the first few weeks of the actual "driving" schedule look:
- January 26–30: Private Shakedown in Barcelona (No cameras, unfortunately).
- February 11–13: Official Pre-Season Test 1 in Bahrain.
- February 18–20: Official Pre-Season Test 2 in Bahrain.
- March 8: The Australian Grand Prix.
Navigating the New 2026 Regulations
The reason everyone is so obsessed with what time does f1 start today and these early launches is the massive regulation shift. We’re talking about "Active Aerodynamics."
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Basically, the cars now have movable front and rear wings that shift between "Z-mode" (for cornering grip) and "X-mode" (for low-drag straight-line speed). It’s basically DRS on steroids, and today’s Red Bull launch might give us the first real look at how they’ve integrated those flaps into the chassis.
Also, the engines. Gone is the complex MGU-H. Instead, the MGU-K is doing the heavy lifting, jumping from 120kW to a massive 350kW of electrical power.
The 2026 Schedule at a Glance
If you’re planning your year around the 24-race marathon, here is the flow of the early season. Note that several races have shifted spots to make "geographical sense"—meaning less flying back and forth across the Atlantic.
- Australia (Melbourne): March 8
- China (Shanghai): March 15
- Japan (Suzuka): March 29
- Bahrain (Sakhir): April 12
- Saudi Arabia (Jeddah): April 19
- Miami (USA): May 3
The move of the Japanese Grand Prix to March is a masterstroke for cherry blossom season, but it’s also part of F1’s attempt to be carbon-neutral by 2030. It puts Suzuka right between China and the Middle Eastern leg, which makes way more sense than the old October slot.
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What to Watch For Right Now
Since there’s no racing today, what should you actually be looking for during the livestreams?
First, look at the wheelbase. The 2026 cars are shorter and narrower. They’re supposed to be "nimble." If the Red Bull looks significantly smaller than last year’s RB21, that’s by design.
Second, the new teams. We have Cadillac joining the grid this year. While their big launch isn't until February 8, the "paddock talk" during today’s Red Bull event will likely be centered on how the 11th team is shaking up the prize money and the technical alliances.
Actionable Steps for F1 Fans Today
Don't just sit there waiting for a race that isn't happening. Here is how to stay ahead of the curve while the season warms up:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official F1 site and download the 2026 calendar to your phone. It auto-adjusts for your local timezone so you never have to ask "what time does it start" again.
- Check the Detroit Stream: If you’re in the US, tune in at 10 PM EST tonight for the Red Bull reveal.
- Track the Shakedown: Keep an eye on social media starting January 26. Even though the Barcelona test is "private," "spy shots" from the grandstands always leak.
- Verify your TV Subscription: With the new season comes new broadcast rights in some regions. Make sure your F1 TV Pro or local sports package is active before the Australian GP on March 8.
The 2026 season is going to be a wild, unpredictable mess of new tech and shifting power dynamics. Today is just the beginning of that chaos.