What time today is the Austrian GP? UK start and Sky schedule
If you are asking what time today the Austrian Grand Prix starts in the UK, lights out is at 2pm BST on Sunday 28 June 2026. Sky Sports F1 begins Grand Prix Sunday build-up at 12.30pm, with the race also on Sky Sports Main Event. Formula 1 lists the 71-lap grand prix at 1500 local time in Spielberg.
The eighth round of the 2026 season arrives at Red Bull's home circuit amid a tightening title fight. Lewis Hamilton's maiden Ferrari win in Barcelona has reshaped the championship picture, while Kimi Antonelli still leads the standings despite retiring in Spain. For more offbeat sports timing stories, see our Bizarre World coverage.
Key Takeaways
- The Austrian GP race starts at 2pm UK time today, 28 June 2026, at the Red Bull Ring.
- Sky Sports F1 coverage begins at 12.30pm with Grand Prix Sunday, plus Chequered Flag at 4pm and Ted's Notebook at 5pm.
- Friday practice opens at 1330 local time; qualifying is Saturday at 1600 local, per Formula 1.
- Forecasters expect warm, dry conditions around 31C on race day, with Sky Sports noting a possible thunderstorm risk.
- UK viewers without Sky can stream every session through NOW day or month passes.
When does the Austrian GP start today in the UK?
According to Sky Sports, the Austrian Grand Prix lights out at 2pm on Sunday 28 June. Formula 1 confirms the 71-lap race begins at 1500 local time in Spielberg, which converts to 1400 BST for British viewers.
That timing caps a traditional three-day weekend rather than a sprint format. Free Practice 1 starts at 1330 local on Friday 26 June, with FP2 at 1700. Saturday brings FP3 at 1230 and qualifying at 1600 local before Sunday's main event.
What is Sky Sports F1's live schedule for race day?
Sky Sports has published a full Sunday timetable for the Austrian GP. Support races lead the morning: the F3 Feature Race at 7.35am, F2 Feature Race at 9.05am, and Porsche Supercup at 10.50am.
Main-event coverage then shifts to F1. Grand Prix Sunday build-up starts at 12.30pm, marked with an asterisk because it also airs on Sky Sports Main Event. The grand prix itself follows at 2pm, with Chequered Flag reaction at 4pm and Ted's Notebook at 5pm.
Sky customers can watch from the first practice session on Friday through to the chequered flag. The Sky Sports app offers onboard cameras for any driver, and highlights land on the app shortly after the race.
Why does this Austrian GP weekend matter?
Hamilton's Barcelona victory was his first for Ferrari and trimmed Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 41 points after the Mercedes rookie retired with a technical failure. George Russell finished second and sits within 50 points of his team-mate.
McLaren showed improvement in Spain and will target a first 2026 win for Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri. Red Bull return to their home track with Max Verstappen's future still unresolved, adding tension at a circuit where he holds four poles and four wins.
How can UK fans watch if they do not have Sky?
Non-Sky customers can stream the full weekend through NOW with a day or cancel-anytime month pass, giving access to all 12 Sky Sports channels. Formula 1 also offers F1 TV Pro in selected countries, with onboard feeds and ad-free coverage across devices.
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Anyone on the move can follow Sky's dedicated F1 live blog. Free highlights appear on the Sky Sports app after the chequered flag, while F1.com and the official app provide live timing for every session.