Formula 1 returns to Silverstone for the ninth round of the 2026 season, with the British Grand Prix set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year. George Russell arrives on home soil in buoyant form following his victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be looking to reassert his authority after back-to-back weekends without a win.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, carries the weight of history into Silverstone, where he already holds the record for the most wins at the circuit with nine, and will be desperate to add a tenth in Ferrari red. The seven-time world champion wasted no time making his presence felt, claiming pole position for Saturday's Sprint race in Friday's Sprint Qualifying session, edging championship leader Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. Max Verstappen secured third, while Russell could only manage fifth, behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth, setting up a fascinating battle at the front before Sunday's main event.
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
With Silverstone hosting a Sprint weekend for the first time since 2021, competitive action began on Friday and will run through to Sunday's main race. Five British drivers are on the 2026 grid, and the majority of the eleven teams are based in England, making this a home race for much of the paddock.
Race Track: Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone is one of Formula 1's fastest and most historic venues, having hosted the first-ever World Championship Grand Prix in 1950. Built on a former Royal Air Force airfield in Northamptonshire, the 3.660-mile circuit is renowned for its high-speed corners and dramatic changes in direction. Key sections of the lap include Abbey, Copse, the Maggotts-Becketts complex, the Hangar Straight, Stowe, and the Arena section, all of which demand maximum commitment and precise car balance.
Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images
Unlike Monaco or Singapore, Silverstone rewards raw pace and aerodynamic performance, with wheel-to-wheel racing common down the Hangar Straight and into Stowe. However, the circuit's exposed airfield location makes it one of the most weather-sensitive venues on the calendar, where conditions can shift rapidly, and wind can play a decisive role even on dry days.
British Grand Prix Race Start Time
The 2026 British Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 15:00 local time (BST) on Sunday, July 5. Below is the race start time across major regions:
- United Kingdom: 15:00 BST
- United States & Canada: 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Mexico City: 08:00 CST
- Brazil (São Paulo): 11:00 BRT
- Europe (CET): 16:00 CET
- Saudi Arabia & Qatar: 17:00 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 18:00 GST/AZT
- India: 19:30 IST
- China & Singapore: 22:00 SGT/CST/BJT
- Japan: 23:00 JST
- Australia: 00:00 AEST (July 6)
Remaining British GP Weekend Schedule
- Saturday, July 4 - Sprint: 12:00–13:00 BST
- Saturday, July 4 - Qualifying: 16:00–17:00 BST
- Sunday, July 5 - Race: 15:00 BST
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
TV Channels and Live Streaming: How to Watch the British GP
Fans around the world can tune in throughout the weekend as Formula 1 heads to Silverstone for one of the sport's most iconic events. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 British Grand Prix, including TV channels and live streaming options based on your country.
- Africa: SuperSport
- Albania: DigitAlb
- Armenia: FastSports
- Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo
- Austria: Servus TV, ORF
- Azerbaijan: Idman Azerbaijan
- Belgium: RTBF, Play Sports
- Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia: Arena Sport
- Brazil: TV Globo, sportv
- Bulgaria: TV Nova
- Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia & Brunei, MENA, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey: beIN SPORTS
- Canada: RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
- Caribbean: Rush Sports
- China: Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
- Chinese Taipei: Videoland, ELTA
- Croatia: RTL
- Cyprus: OmegaTV
- Czech Republic & Slovakia: Nova
- Denmark: TV3, Viaplay
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania: Go3, TV3
- Eurasia: Setanta Sports
- Finland: Viaplay
- France: Canal+
- Germany: Sky Deutschland, RTL
- Greece: ANT1, ANT1+
- Hungary: M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
- Iceland: Viaplay
- India: FanCode, TATA Play FanCode Sports
- In-Ship & In-Flight: Sport 24, Sport 24 Extra
- Israel: Sport 5
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Japan: Fuji TV
- Luxembourg: RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg
- Macedonia: Sport Klub
- Mexico: TUDN, Sky Sports, Izzi
- Myanmar: Canal+ Sports, Canal+ ACTION
- Netherlands: Viaplay
- New Zealand: Sky NZ
- Norway: V sport 1, Viaplay
- Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands: TVWAN Sports
- Poland: Eleven Sports
- Portugal, Spain & Andorra: DAZN
- Romania: Antena
- Slovenia: Kanal A, VOYO
- South Korea: Coupang Play
- Sweden: Viaplay
- Switzerland: SRF, RSI, RTS
- Ukraine: Setanta Ukraine
- United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland: Sky Sports, Channel 4
- USA: Apple TV
- Vietnam: K+
Weather Forecast for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone
According to BBC Weather, race day at Silverstone is set to bring sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, with temperatures peaking at 27°C and a low of 14°C. Rain chances sit at zero percent throughout the entire day, making for near-perfect conditions for racing.
Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images
It is a rare and welcome forecast for a circuit that has regularly sprung wet-weather surprises. With no rain threat and warm, stable conditions expected, Sunday's British Grand Prix looks set to be decided purely on pace and strategy rather than the weather.
2026 British Grand Prix Predictions
Silverstone's high-speed layout and long lap favor cars with strong aerodynamic performance and mechanical balance, making it a circuit where the top teams can rarely hide. Former drivers, analysts, and broadcasters have shared their predictions for the weekend, with opinions split on whether Antonelli can reassert his championship dominance or Russell can claim a famous home victory at Silverstone.
Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images via Getty Images
- Juan Pablo Montoya (Former F1 Driver): Kimi Antonelli (P1), George Russell (P2)
- Alex Brundle (F1 Broadcaster): Russell wins if there is any interrupted race; Antonelli wins if it is a straightforward race, with Verstappen making trouble for both throughout
- Jolyon Palmer (Ex-F1 Driver and Analyst): Kimi Antonelli (P1), George Russell (P2), Max Verstappen (P3)
- Laura Winter (F1 TV Presenter): George Russell (P1), Kimi Antonelli (P2), Max Verstappen (P3)
With 33 points on offer across the Sprint and the main race, Silverstone could prove to be a pivotal weekend in the 2026 championship. Antonelli heads in as the favorite, but Russell's recent form, Hamilton's record at the circuit, and Verstappen's unpredictability mean nothing is settled until the lights go out on Sunday afternoon. If the experts are anything to go by, expect a grandstand finish at one of Formula 1's most iconic venues.