If you’re frantically searching for what time is the grand prix today, I have some news that might be a little annoying: there isn’t one.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. We are currently in the middle of the "January slump" for Formula 1. The engines are cold. The drivers are mostly in the gym or posting vacation photos on Instagram. If you were hoping to see Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton (now well-settled into his Ferrari seat) battling it out on track this afternoon, you’re about eight weeks too early.
But don't close the tab just yet.
While the cars aren't racing, the 2026 season is actually kicking off behind the scenes right now. In fact, today is a massive day for the sport for a completely different reason. If you’re a Red Bull or Racing Bulls fan, you probably should be looking at Detroit instead of a race track.
Why you're asking what time is the grand prix today (and when the real action starts)
It’s easy to get confused with the calendar these days because F1 is trying to become "sustainable" by grouping races geographically. This has shifted the traditional start dates around. For 2026, the wait is almost over, but we still have a "dead zone" to navigate.
The first time you'll actually need to know what time is the grand prix today for a points-paying race is March 8, 2026. That’s when the Australian Grand Prix kicks off the season at Albert Park.
✨ Don't miss: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
Before that, we have the testing sessions. These are basically the "pre-season friendlies" of racing.
- January 26-30: Private testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. You won't see much of this on TV, as it’s mostly for teams to shake down their new 2026-spec cars.
- February 11-13: The first official pre-season test in Bahrain.
- February 18-20: The second Bahrain test.
These tests are usually when the "sandbagging" begins. Teams like Mercedes or McLaren might look slow on purpose to hide their true pace from rivals. It’s a game of high-speed poker that sets the stage for the entire year.
What is actually happening in F1 on January 15?
Even though there’s no race, today is actually a landmark date for the 2026 season. If you are reading this on January 15, the big news is coming out of Detroit, Michigan.
Oracle Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are unveiling their 2026 liveries today. This isn't just another paint job reveal. This is the official beginning of the Red Bull-Ford partnership. After years of working with Honda, Red Bull is moving to its own "Red Bull Ford Powertrains." It’s a massive gamble. Seeing the Ford logo back on a competitive F1 car in Detroit is a huge PR moment for the sport.
The launch event is scheduled for 10:00 PM local time in Detroit (which is 3:00 AM UTC on January 16). So, while you can't watch a race, you can watch the future of the championship-winning team being revealed under the lights of the Motor City.
🔗 Read more: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The 2026 Formula 1 Calendar: Mark These Dates
Once we get past the winter break, the schedule is absolutely relentless. F1 has confirmed 24 races for 2026. If you want to plan your life around the "lights out" moments, here is the breakdown of the first few rounds.
The Opening Flyaway Leg
Round 1: Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
The race is on March 8. Local start time is 3:00 PM. For those in the UK, that means a brutal 4:00 AM wakeup call. For East Coast US fans, you're looking at a late Saturday night/early Sunday morning situation around 11:00 PM or midnight.
Round 2: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)
Following just a week later on March 15. This is a Sprint weekend, so you get two races for the price of one. The main Grand Prix starts at 3:00 PM local time.
Round 3: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
On March 29, the circus heads to the legendary Suzuka circuit. This race moved to the spring last year to help with logistics, and it has stayed there. It starts at 2:00 PM local time.
The Middle East Double-Header
After the Asian leg, the teams head to the desert.
💡 You might also like: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
- Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir): April 12. This is a night race starting at 6:00 PM local.
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah): April 19. Another night race, starting even later at 8:00 PM local time to avoid the heat.
Why 2026 is the most confusing year for start times
If you've been a fan for a while, you probably have the 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM European start times memorized. Well, throw that out the window for 2026.
Formula 1 has made some specific changes this year to avoid clashing with other sports. The most notable one is the Canadian Grand Prix on May 24. Usually, it starts earlier, but this year they’ve moved the start time to 4:00 PM local time.
Why? To avoid a direct clash with the Indianapolis 500.
For the first time in ages, the two biggest races in North America are happening on the same day without overlapping. It’s a "Super Sunday" for motorsports fans. You can watch the 500 in the morning/afternoon and then flip over to the Montreal street circuit for the F1 start.
Also, keep an eye on the Madrid Grand Prix on September 13. This is the brand-new street race replacing (eventually) the traditional Barcelona event. It’s slated for a 3:00 PM local start. It’s going to be chaotic, dusty, and incredibly fast.
Actionable Next Steps for F1 Fans Today
Since there is no race to watch right this second, here is how you can actually prepare for the season so you don't have to Google what time is the grand prix today every Sunday morning:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Formula 1 website or use an app like "F1 Calendar" to sync all 24 race times directly to your phone. It automatically adjusts for your local time zone.
- Watch the Red Bull Launch: If you’re awake late tonight (January 15), head to the Red Bull Racing YouTube channel. The Detroit launch event is a huge deal for the 2026 engine regulations.
- Check your subscription: If you’re in the US, ESPN still carries the races, but F1 TV Pro is often the better deal for the technical deep dives and onboard cameras. In the UK, it’s still Sky Sports F1. Now is the time to check for "early bird" discounts before the Australian GP.
- Study the 2026 Regs: This isn't just a new season; it’s a new era. The cars are smaller, lighter, and have a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power. Understanding the "Manual Override" boost mode will be essential for following the overtakes this year.
The wait is long, but Melbourne is coming. Until then, keep an eye on the livery launches—they’re the only "racing" news we’ve got for now.