F1 Spanish GP 2026: Schedule, IST Timings, Live Streaming, And What's At Stake At Madring

For what might be one of the most challenging races this season, Formula 1 heads to Madrid this weekend for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. This weekend, the teams will race at the brand-new Madring circuit for the first time in Formula One history. The inaugural Madrid race will also be the final European round of the 2026 F1 season, after which the race will head to Baku, Azerbaijan, for another tricky championship.

The Spanish Grand Prix marks Formula 1's return to the Spanish capital after almost four decades. Madrid last hosted an F1 race at the Jarama circuit, and the new Madring presents a very different challenge. The 5.416-kilometre circuit features 22 corners, with its standout feature being the measly chicanes at Turns 5, 5A and 6 and then again at Turns 20, 20A and 21, and of course, the corner aptly called La Monumental.

Here’s when and where you can catch up on all the action.

F1 Spanish GP 2026 Schedule And Indian Timings

The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix weekend begins with practice on Friday, September 11. FP1 will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM IST, followed by FP2 from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM IST. Saturday, September 12, will feature FP3 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST, before qualifying takes place from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM IST. The inaugural Madrid Grand Prix itself will take place on Sunday, September 13, with lights out at 6:30 PM IST.

F1 Spanish GP 2026 Live Streaming: Where To Watch In India

Indian viewers can watch the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix live on FanCode and F1 TV. FanCode offers both single-race and season options, while F1 TV provides a more comprehensive viewing experience across the race weekend. For a better experience, F1 TV Premium includes live coverage of practice, qualifying and the Grand Prix, along with onboard cameras, live timing and team radio.

Mercedes comes to Madrid with Andrea Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers' championship by 66 points over teammate George Russell. The Italian strengthened his position at the top of the standings with a remarkable victory at Monza, recovering all the way from 19th on the grid to win his home race.

Russell, meanwhile, will be determined to respond after seeing victory slip away at the Italian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver was overtaken by Antonelli with four laps remaining and eventually finished second, around four seconds behind his teammate.

Ferrari will also have plenty to prove in Madrid. Lewis Hamilton returns to the country of his first Grand Prix victory in Ferrari colours, having won in Barcelona earlier this season. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, will be looking to recover from his difficult Monza weekend after crashing out on the second lap.

The 5.416-kilometre Madring circuit features 22 turns and combines public roads with private land around Madrid's IFEMA exhibition centre.

Its most distinctive feature is La Monumental, a heavily banked 270-degree corner that stretches for approximately 547 metres and reaches up to 24 per cent banking. The unusual section could become one of the defining features of the new Spanish Grand Prix.

A Formula 3 test at Madring on August 24 and 25 gave us an early glimpse of how difficult it could get. The two-day test featured 19 red flags, including 11 caused by cars hitting the barriers. Read more about what the new track has to offer below:

Isack Hadjar will continue to be unavailable for the Spanish Grand Prix after suffering a wrist injury during the summer break. The Red Bull driver has already missed races in Zandvoort and Monza and will also sit out the team's first F1 race in Madrid.

Liam Lawson will replace Hadjar at Red Bull once again, while Yuki Tsunoda will take Lawson's seat at Racing Bulls.