If you woke up this morning, grabbed your coffee, and started frantically searching for what time is the formula one on today, I’ve got some news. It is Monday, January 19, 2026. You aren't going to see cars screaming around a track at 200 mph just yet.
We are currently in that weird, quiet-but-loud period known as "Launch Season." The engines are silent, but the marketing departments are working overtime. Honestly, it's one of the most stressful times for a fan because the schedule is all over the place.
Why isn't there a race today?
The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship doesn't actually kick off its racing schedule until March. Specifically, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne starts on March 8.
But wait.
If you're asking what time is the formula one on today because you saw a notification on your phone, you're likely looking for the Haas livery reveal. Today, January 19, Haas is scheduled to drop the first look at their 2026 challenger.
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Today's Schedule: The Haas Livery Reveal
Haas shifted their original date (it was supposed to be the 23rd) to today. They are doing an online-only reveal. Unlike a Grand Prix, there isn't a "lights out" time that stays consistent across every timezone.
- The Event: Haas F1 Team 2026 Livery Launch.
- Where to watch: Their official X (formerly Twitter) account and website.
- The catch: They usually just drop a gallery of renders or a short video. It's rarely a three-hour broadcast.
The 2026 Pre-Season Chaos
The 2026 season is a massive deal. Massive. We're talking about the biggest technical regulation change in a generation. New engines, more electrical power, and the arrival of Cadillac on the grid. People are desperate to see these cars because they look significantly different—smaller, lighter, and hopefully better for wheel-to-wheel racing.
Because the changes are so deep, the testing schedule is different this year.
Usually, we just get three days in Bahrain. Not in 2026. The teams convinced the FIA they needed more time so they don't look like amateurs when the first race hits.
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Upcoming Testing Times (Mark Your Calendar)
If you want to know what time is the formula one on today in terms of actual track action, you have to wait another week.
- Barcelona Shakedown (Jan 26-30): This is a private "shakedown" week. Don't expect a live stream. You’ll mostly see grainy "spy" photos from fans sitting in the trees outside the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
- Bahrain Test 1 (Feb 11-13): This is the big one. It's the first public test. Usually, the sessions run from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time.
- Bahrain Test 2 (Feb 18-20): The final dress rehearsal before Melbourne.
What time is the Formula One on today for the first race?
I know you're looking for race times. When we finally get to Round 1 in Melbourne, the "today" you're looking for will be Sunday, March 8.
The Australian Grand Prix is a night-owl's nightmare or an early-bird's dream, depending on where you live. In the UK, the race usually starts at 4:00 AM. If you're on the East Coast of the US, you're looking at a 11:00 PM start on Saturday night.
2026 Race Start Times (Major Rounds)
| Grand Prix | Local Start Time | UK Time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (March 8) | 15:00 | 04:00 |
| China (March 15) | 15:00 | 07:00 |
| Bahrain (April 12) | 18:00 | 16:00 |
| Madrid (Sept 13) | 15:00 | 14:00 |
You'll notice Madrid is on there. That's the brand-new street race. It's replacing the traditional Barcelona slot as the primary Spanish race later in the year, though we still have a "Barcelona-Catalunya" race in June. It's confusing. F1 is like that.
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Don't get fooled by "Show Cars"
A lot of fans asking what time is the formula one on today get disappointed when they tune into a launch and see a car that looks exactly like last year's but with different stickers.
Red Bull already did their launch a few days ago in Detroit with Ford. It was a big spectacle, but let's be real: that wasn't the actual car. It was a show car. Haas today will likely be the same—a livery reveal on a generic 2026 chassis.
The real technical secrets stay hidden until that Barcelona shakedown on the 26th.
Actionable Next Steps
Since there is no actual racing on track today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve so you don't miss the 2026 debut:
- Check the Haas Socials: Keep an eye on the Haas F1 Team social media feeds starting around 2:00 PM GMT (9:00 AM ET). That is the "sweet spot" for livery drops.
- Sync Your Calendar: Download the official F1 calendar to your phone. The 2026 schedule has 24 races, and with the new Saturday races (like Baku and Las Vegas), the "what time" question gets tricky.
- Prepare for Audi/Honda: Tomorrow, January 20, is a double-header. Audi launches in Berlin and Honda (partnering with Aston Martin) launches their power unit in Tokyo. Those will have actual live-streamed presentations.
Basically, today is about looking at new paint jobs. The real noise starts in February. If you're itching for racing, maybe go back and watch the 2025 season highlights to remind yourself why we do this to ourselves every year.