(Motorsport-Total.com) – The 2026 Formula 1 season marks a new era for the motorsport “king class” with new rules, new cars, new teams, and new drivers. From a German-speaking perspective, the Audi entry with Nico Hülkenberg is particularly exciting. But which broadcasters will cover it? We answer this question in this article for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
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Because in this overview you will find – as soon as available – all essential details about TV broadcasts and the most important live streams in the 2026 season. You will learn details about the schedule and the options to follow the Formula 1 action via television, live ticker, or live app.
In short: We answer all the crucial questions about Formula 1 on TV in the 2026 season! The most important information upfront:
Will the 2026 Italian Grand Prix be shown on free TV?
No. In Germany, the race is exclusively available on the pay-TV channel Sky. However, RTL broadcasts the qualifying on Saturday live and free of charge. In Austria (ServusTV) and Switzerland (SRF), the Grand Prix is freely receivable.
Live broadcasts of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix
Friday, September 4, 2026
1st Free Practice (12:30-13:30)
12:15-14:00: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
12:15-13:45: ServusTV
2nd Free Practice (16:00-17:00)
15:45-17:00: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
15:45-17:05: ServusTV
Saturday, September 5, 2026
3rd Free Practice (12:30-13:30)
12:15-14:05: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
12:15-13:48: ServusTV
Qualifying Previews
15:30-16:00: ServusTV
Qualifying (from 16:00)
15:30-17:15: RTL
15:30-17:30: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
15:55-17:10: SRF info
16:00-17:00: ServusTV
Qualifying Analysis
17:00-17:20: ServusTV
Top 3 Qualifying Press Conference
17:30-18:00: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Grand Prix Previews
13:00-14:55: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
13:00-15:00: ServusTV
Grand Prix (start at 15:00)
14:20-16:50: SRF info
14:55-16:45: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
15:00-16:25: ServusTV
Grand Prix Analysis
16:25-17:40: ServusTV
16:45-17:30: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
Top 3 Grand Prix Press Conference
17:30-18:00: Sky Sport F1 / WOW Live Sport
Highlights and replays of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix
Thursday, September 3, 2026
19:15-20:15: Replay of Drivers’ Press Conference (Sky Sport F1)
Friday, September 4, 2026
17:30-18:30: Replay of Team Principals’ Press Conference (Sky Sport F1)
20:00-21:30: Replay of 1st Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
21:30-22:30: Replay of 2nd Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
Saturday, September 5, 2026
00:30-02:00: Replay of 1st Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
02:00-03:30: Replay of 2nd Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
06:00-07:30: Replay of 1st Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
07:30-09:00: Replay of 2nd Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
20:00-21:30: Replay of Qualifying (Sky Sport F1)
Sunday, September 6, 2026
00:00-01:30: Replay of Qualifying (Sky Sport F1)
06:30-08:05: Replay of Qualifying (Sky Sport F1)
19:00-21:00: Replay of Grand Prix (Sky Sport F1)
23:30-01:30: Replay of Grand Prix (Sky Sport F1)
Monday, September 7, 2026
00:00-02:00: Replay of Grand Prix (ORF 1)
03:30-05:30: Replay of Grand Prix (Sky Sport F1)
06:00-07:30: Replay of 1st Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
07:30-09:00: Replay of 2nd Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
09:00-10:30: Replay of 3rd Free Practice (Sky Sport F1)
09:10-11:10: Replay of Grand Prix (ServusTV)
10:30-12:00: Replay of Qualifying (Sky Sport F1)
12:00-14:00: Replay of Grand Prix (Sky Sport F1)
14:30-15:00: Grand Prix Highlights (Sky Sport F1)
19:00-20:00: Replay of Sprint (Sky Sport F1)
20:00-22:00: Replay of Grand Prix (Sky Sport F1)
The TV situation of Formula 1 in Germany
Only Sky shows everything live
Pay-TV channel Sky exclusively broadcasts the entire 2026 Formula 1 season in Germany. As usual, all practice sessions, qualifying, sprint, and the Grand Prix are shown live with German commentary. This will continue beyond 2026: Sky’s Formula 1 contract runs through 2027.
Fans have two options with Sky to watch Formula 1 live: Those who subscribe to the Sky Sports package can watch Formula 1 (and other sports like MotoGP or IndyCar) traditionally on TV. Those who prefer streaming are well served by the Sky WOW offer and can stream all Formula 1 content to their devices.
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The Formula 1 sessions on Sky are commentated by Sascha Roos. He is usually joined by former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who in 2025 was sometimes replaced by his ex-racing colleague Timo Glock. The host of the Sky broadcasts is Peter Hardenacke, and Sandra Baumgartner works as a reporter in the Formula 1 paddock gathering voices.
RTL broadcasts individual races again on free TV
In 2025, RTL broadcast seven Grands Prix as well as various qualifying sessions and sprints on free TV with a sublicense from Sky. In 2026, RTL will broadcast five races. The season started with the Monaco Grand Prix and the races in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and Zandvoort (Netherlands). Madrid (Spain) and Las Vegas (USA) will follow.
For the events in Italy (September 5) and Austin (October 24), at least the qualifying will be broadcast on RTL.
For all other race weekends, either qualifying or sprint will be offered on the streaming platform RTL+, but as a broadcast of the original stream from Sky Germany. All races will be shown as usual on the pay-TV channel.
The RTL team recently consisted of long-time members: Heiko Wasser and ex-Formula 1 driver Christian Danner provided commentary, Kai Ebel and Alessa-Luisa Naujoks delivered additional voices as pit reporters. The hosting of the broadcasts was shared by Florian König and Laura Papendick. Former Formula 1 team principal Günther Steiner was also available as an expert.
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The TV situation of Formula 1 in Austria
In Austria, ORF and ServusTV have shared the broadcast of Formula 1 races equally since 2021. This will continue in the new contract period through 2026: ORF and ServusTV will each show half of the season’s races live in Austria, with ServusTV remaining the official licensee of Formula 1 and ORF participating via sublicense.
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The 2026 season starts – unlike 2025 – with ServusTV. Afterwards, the two Austrian broadcasters alternate, so ORF will broadcast the finale. There are two exceptions: ORF shows two consecutive race weekends in Monaco and Barcelona, and ServusTV does the same with Zandvoort and Monza.
ServusTV will broadcast the following races live in 2026: Melbourne (Australia), Suzuka (Japan), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Montreal (Canada), Spielberg (Austria), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Zandvoort (Netherlands), Monza (Italy), Baku (Azerbaijan), Austin (USA), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Lusail (Qatar)
ORF will broadcast the following races live in 2026: Shanghai (China), Sakhir (Bahrain), Miami (USA), Monaco, Barcelona (Spain), Silverstone (Great Britain), Budapest (Hungary), Madrid (Spain), Singapore, Mexico City (Mexico), Las Vegas (USA), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
At ORF, Ernst Hausleitner and former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz will commentate as usual in 2026. At ServusTV, Andreas Gröbl provides commentary and Andrea Schlager hosts. The broadcaster can rely on experts such as Philipp Eng, Christian Klien, Mathias Lauda, or Philipp Brändle.
The TV situation of Formula 1 in Switzerland
Swiss television usually broadcasts only qualifying and races live, and this will remain the case for 2026. This means Oliver Sittler commentates together with former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer and former DTM driver Nico Müller.
Which live streams are offered for the 2026 Formula 1 season?
Many illegal live streams are offered on the internet. However, we only refer here to legal offers and subscriptions. One such legal offer is provided by Formula 1 itself with a subscription to the streaming service F1 TV Pro. With it, you can choose to listen to German or English commentary from Sky.
The F1 TV Pro subscription includes all Formula 1 sessions as well as the support series Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porsche Supercup, all live and on demand, as well as an archive with historic Formula 1 Grands Prix.
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But beware: In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, no new subscription to F1 TV Pro can be made due to other agreements. Only existing F1 TV Pro customers can still access the streaming service’s content.
With F1 TV Access for 26.99 euros per year, fans have access to replays and the archive, but not to live content of Formula 1 and its support series.
Legal live streams of all Formula 1 races on the internet are offered by ORF in its free TVthek. By the way, it is also available as an app, but of course with geo-blocking for non-Austrian viewers. ServusTV also offers access to Formula 1 live streams with an app for mobile devices and SmartTV, also only for Austria. Via “WOW,” Formula 1 can be streamed in Germany on Sky. You can find details about reception and prices here!
What if I have no access to TV or live streams?
If you have neither Sky, RTL, ORF, ServusTV, SRF nor a subscription to the F1 streaming service, then you are best off on our portal! During the Formula 1 season, we offer motorsport fans a comprehensive Formula 1 news live ticker from morning till evening, in the style of a radio program. We report live during test drives and on race weekends promptly about all activities on and off the track.
Additionally, there are Formula 1 session live tickers. These are also available in our mobile Formula 1 apps, ideal for the “second screen” on tablets or smartphones.
Furthermore, on race weekends, we offer Formula 1 live streams and videos in the evenings on the YouTube channel of Formel1.de, where editor-in-chief Christian Nimmervoll and host Kevin Scheuren usually analyze the day’s events and also respond to viewer questions.
Who are the drivers and teams in the 2026 Formula 1 season?
In the 2026 Formula 1 season, 22 drivers compete in eleven teams. New entries are Audi (previously Sauber) and Cadillac. The field includes seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull), two-time world champion Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), and the current defending world champion Lando Norris (McLaren). (Overview: Drivers and teams 2026)
The Formula 1 drivers 2026
Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) remains the only German Formula 1 driver. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) is the only rookie newly added. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez make their Formula 1 comeback as full-time drivers for Cadillac after each taking a year off.
What changes are there for the 2026 Formula 1 season?
Formula 1 introduces a new Technical Regulation for the season with (among other things) new rules for chassis and powertrain of the cars. You can find details about the technical changes here.
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar also shows some changes compared to the previous year: Imola loses its place, the city race in Madrid is new, and some Grands Prix have new dates.
Where can I find the results for the 2026 Formula 1 season?
Our portal provides you with all results, statistics, and overall standings for Formula 1 2026 under these links. Additionally, as soon as available, you can access the individual results for each race weekend.
Where can I find current statistics for the 2026 Formula 1 season?
Our Formula 1 database always informs you up to date about all essential statistics for the 2026 Formula 1 season and all Formula 1 seasons since 1950 with detailed information about drivers, teams, engine suppliers, race tracks, and much more!
Which series race in the support program of Formula 1 in 2026?
In 2026, the usual series race in the support program of Formula 1, primarily the junior classes Formula 2 and Formula 3 as well as the Porsche Supercup. Since 2024, the women’s racing series F1 Academy is also part of Formula 1 Grands Prix.
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