Formula One is back, and the 2026 championship is already producing the kind of drama that keeps British fans glued to the action. A headline-grabbing driver move, a long-term contract announcement and a sprint weekend at Zandvoort are all part of the story this season. With Lewis Hamilton now racing for Ferrari and Max Verstappen locked into Red Bull, the 2026 Formula One Championship has plenty of big names fighting at the front. Here is a summary of the key storylines and the best ways to follow F1 this season.
What Is Formula One?
Formula One, usually shortened to F1, is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars. The championship is run by the Formula One Group and is widely regarded as the most prestigious motor racing competition in the world. Drivers and teams compete in a series of Grands Prix across the season, accumulating points that decide both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. The sport has a strong following in the UK, and there is no shortage of ways to keep track of every race, from live timing to expert analysis.
The 2026 Championship So Far
The official F1 channels have described 2026 as “the home of risk takers, late brakers and history makers”, and the season so far has lived up to that reputation. Max Verstappen and Red Bull currently sit 50 points clear at the front, according to the official F1 social channels, giving the team a useful cushion as the campaign heads towards Zandvoort. With the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc pushing hard at Ferrari, the battle behind Red Bull is attracting plenty of attention from fans and pundits alike.
Hamilton and Ferrari Set the Pace at Zandvoort
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is the current focus of the 2026 calendar, with the event running from Friday 21 August to Sunday 23 August. Lewis Hamilton made an early statement in first practice, topping the timesheets for Ferrari with a lap of 1:13.139. Charles Leclerc finished second, an encouraging sign for Ferrari fans as the weekend builds towards Sunday’s race. The Zandvoort weekend uses the sprint format, which means extra competitive sessions. The timetable looks like this:
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Practice 1: Friday 21 August, 11:30 am
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Sprint Qualifying: Friday 21 August, 3:30 pm
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Sprint: Saturday 22 August
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Dutch Grand Prix: Sunday 23 August
Verstappen Commits to Red Bull Long Term
Max Verstappen’s future has been confirmed, with the Dutch driver staying at Red Bull Racing for 2027 and remaining part of the Red Bull family until at least 2030. That gives Red Bull stability at the top of its driver line-up and removes any doubt about its leader heading into the next stage of the season. Verstappen and Red Bull sit 50 points clear at the front, according to official F1 channels, and a strong result at Zandvoort would extend that advantage further. For neutrals, the combination of Verstappen in Red Bull and Hamilton at Ferrari makes the 2026 title race a compelling watch.
How to Follow F1 in 2026
Keeping up with the 2026 Formula One Championship is straightforward, whatever your preferred platform. The official Formula 1 website is the go-to source for the latest F1 news, video highlights, GP results, live timing, in-depth analysis and expert commentary. BBC Sport also covers F1 extensively, with the latest news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio available to UK audiences. Sky Sports publishes the full 2026 schedule and provides live coverage of practice, qualifying and race sessions. The official F1 YouTube channel offers highlights and original series such as “Grill the Grid”, while the sport’s Instagram and Facebook pages share regular updates, including championship standings and driver announcements.
More Than Just Race Day
Formula One offers fans plenty of ways to get involved beyond the Grands Prix themselves. The official F1 website includes dedicated sections for fantasy F1, gaming, the F1 Awards and F1 betting, giving supporters a chance to test their knowledge and follow the season in different ways. There is also a “New to F1?” page on the official site, which covers the basics of the sport, from drivers and teams to how the championship works. With so much content available across websites, broadcasters and social media, there is something for every kind of F1 fan in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the 2026 Formula One Championship.
What is Formula One?
Formula One, or F1, is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars. The championship is run by the Formula One Group and is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition. Each season, drivers and teams compete in Grands Prix around the world, with points deciding the champions.
When is the Dutch Grand Prix in 2026?
The Dutch Grand Prix takes place at Zandvoort from Friday 21 August to Sunday 23 August 2026. It is a sprint weekend, so there is extra on-track action. Practice 1 starts at 11:30 am on Friday, Sprint Qualifying follows at 3:30 pm, the Sprint runs on Saturday 22 August, and the Grand Prix itself takes place on Sunday.
How can I follow F1 news and results in 2026?
The official Formula 1 website offers the latest F1 news, video highlights, GP results, live timing and expert commentary. BBC Sport provides news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio for UK audiences, while Sky Sports carries the full 2026 schedule and live session coverage. The F1 YouTube channel adds highlights and original shows such as Grill the Grid.
Is Max Verstappen staying at Red Bull?
Yes. Max Verstappen is confirmed at Red Bull Racing for 2027 and is part of the Red Bull family until at least 2030. According to the official F1 social channels, Verstappen and Red Bull currently sit 50 points clear at the front.