British GP 2026 Sprint weekend dates, schedule, weather, UK start time and how to watch or stream F1 race at Silverstone live on Sky Sports | F1 News

Formula 1 heads to Silverstone for a Sprint weekend at the British Grand Prix, which will be live and free on Sky.

George Russell claimed an important win last time out in Austria to cut his deficit to Kimi Antonelli to 40 points in the Drivers’ Championship and will be looking for a first victory on home soil.

Lewis Hamilton is a nine-timer British Grand Prix winner and will hope to restore his mid-season title hopes after a disappointing race for Ferrari last Sunday.

Lando Norris won last year’s race at Silverstone but is set to face a challenge to repeat his triumph this weekend for McLaren, while the other two Brits on the grid – Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad – will target the points paying positions.

Don’t be surprised to see Max Verstappen spoiling the British party, while championship leader Antonelli still goes into the event as favourite given his recent supreme speed, even if he has not won the last two races.

For the first time since 2021, Silverstone will host a Sprint weekend so there will be competitive action from Friday and we will have the traditional build-up show on Thursday evening, live from the grid.

You can watch everything unfold from the Silverstone weekend live on Sky Sports F1 and all the F1 on-track action for free on Sky One, if you have a Sky box.

British GP circuit: Silverstone track layout

Silverstone is one of the most iconic Formula 1 circuits on the calendar with so much history and memorable moments, having hosted the first F1 World Championship race in 1950.

The 3.661-mile track offers plenty of overtaking opportunities through The Loop at the beginning of the lap, then through the high-speed middle sector which leads to the Hangar Straight where drivers go side by side at over 200mph approaching Stowe.

British GP weather in Silverstone

The current weather forecast says there will be no rain throughout the three days of track action at the British Grand Prix with temperatures in the mid-20s from Friday to Sunday.

British GP dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule

Thursday July 2
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
6pm: The F1 Show

Friday July 3
7.40am: F1 Academy Practice
8.45am: F3 Practice
9.55am: F2 Practice
12pm: British GP Practice (session starts at 12.30pm)*
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying*
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying*
3.35pm: British GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 4.30pm)*
5.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying

Saturday July 4
9.30am: F3 Sprint*
11am: British GP Sprint build-up*
12pm: BRITISH GP SPRINT*
1.40pm: F2 Sprint*
2.50pm: British GP Qualifying build-up*
4pm: BRITISH GP QUALIFYING*
6pm: F1 Academy Race 1
6.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday July 5
8.20am: F3 Feature Race*
9.55am: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race*
1.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: British GP build-up*
3pm: THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX*
5pm: Chequered Flag: British GP reaction
6pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

How to watch or stream the British Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland

Got Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 – and for free on Sky One, if you have a Sky box – from the Practice on Friday afternoon to the British Grand Prix itself on Sunday July 5 at 3pm

App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!

Not got Sky?

Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass

Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog

FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app

How to watch the British GP on mobile with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports Subscribers can:

1. Download or open the Sky Sports app
2. Head to the ‘Watch’ section at 1.30pm for build-up on Sunday, ahead of lights out at 3pm
3. Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)

*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD

What is NOW?

NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more.

It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime!

You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. See the latest NOW membership prices.

More information about NOW can be found here.

Next up in the 2026 Formula 1 season is the big one, a Sprint weekend at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix – live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One with coverage from Thursday to Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.