Round 9 of 22 · British Grand Prix

British Grand Prix

3:00 PM GMT+1 · Silverstone · Silverstone

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Sprint race 12:00 Silverstone time (Saturday)

Silverstone

Silverstone, United Kingdom · Europe/London

Silverstone Circuit is a 5.891 km (3.661 miles) circuit on a former Royal Air Force bomber station in Northamptonshire, with 18 corners across a 52-lap race distance of 306.198 km. Silverstone hosted the very first Formula 1 World Championship race on 13 May 1950, when Giuseppe Farina won, making it the birthplace of the sport. Max Verstappen holds the lap record at 1:27.097, set in 2020.

The Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex is widely considered the greatest sequence of corners in motorsport, a high-speed left-right-left combination taken at over 270 km/h that demands absolute commitment. Copse corner opens the lap with a fast right-hander, while the Wellington Straight and Hangar Straight provide two DRS zones with strong overtaking opportunities into Brooklands and Stowe respectively. The Village and Loop section in the middle of the lap rewards car balance through medium-speed direction changes.

Silverstone has produced many of the sport’s most memorable moments. On 18 July 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided at Copse on the opening lap, sending Verstappen into the barriers at 51G. Hamilton recovered from a penalty to win in front of the home crowd. On 3 July 2022, Zhou Guanyu survived a terrifying rollover crash on the opening lap. Hamilton’s famous three-wheeled victory on 2 August 2020, won on the final lap with a punctured front tyre, is one of F1’s most iconic images.

The timezone is Europe/London at BST (UTC+1). A 15:00 local start is 14:00 GMT and 10:00 EDT. The timing works exceptionally well for a global audience, with European fans watching in the afternoon, North American viewers tuning in mid-morning, and Asian fans catching the race in the late evening at 22:00 CST and 23:00 JST. The sprint race at 12:00 local provides a Saturday lunchtime appetiser. Check United Kingdom time and London time for conversions.

July in Northamptonshire is unpredictable. The 2022 race was run in scorching heat while the 2023 edition was damp and cool. The British motorsport industry is centred in the area surrounding Silverstone, with most F1 teams based within a two-hour drive. The crowd reflects that knowledge, with fans who understand car development, strategy calls, and tyre management. The atmosphere when a British driver leads is deafening.

See the full race schedule and session times at the British Grand Prix page.

The 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone starts at 15:00 BST (UTC+1) on Sunday 5 July. Silverstone is 5.891 km long with 18 corners and is the home of Formula 1 itself, having hosted the very first World Championship Grand Prix in 1950.

This is a sprint weekend. Saturday’s sprint race goes at 12:00 BST (11:00 GMT), awarding points to the top eight finishers before the full Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Silverstone Circuit is the home of British motorsport and the circuit where Formula 1 began in 1950. The former RAF airfield in Northamptonshire has evolved into one of the most demanding high-speed circuits in the world. The Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex is the defining sequence, a series of rapid direction changes taken at extraordinary speed. Copse, Stowe, and the high-speed run through the middle sector demand absolute trust in aerodynamic grip.

Silverstone has hosted legendary races throughout F1 history. Nigel Mansell won here in 1987, 1991, and 1992, becoming the most popular British racing driver of his generation. Lewis Hamilton’s record nine British Grand Prix victories include the dramatic 2008 wet-weather masterclass and his 2024 emotional triumph that reduced him to tears on the podium. In 2022, Zhou Guanyu survived a horrifying first-lap rollover crash, a testament to modern safety standards. The 2021 race saw Hamilton and Verstappen collide at Copse, one of the most debated incidents in recent F1 history.

For European fans, the 15:00 BST start is a perfect Sunday afternoon watch. Continental viewers tune in at 16:00 CEST. North American audiences get an ideal morning slot at 10:00 Eastern and 07:00 Pacific. The Saturday sprint at 12:00 BST hits 07:00 Eastern. Australian fans face a midnight AEST start, while Asian viewers watch at 22:00 JST and 22:00 CST. Check United Kingdom time for the exact start in your location.

Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, returns to Silverstone in red for one of the emotional highlights of the 2026 season. Lando Norris and George Russell carry the home hopes for McLaren and Mercedes respectively. The British weather is always a factor at Silverstone’s exposed plateau, where conditions can change within minutes and a sudden rain shower can split the field between those who gambled and those who played it safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did the British Grand Prix start?

The British Grand Prix started at 15:00 local time in Silverstone on 2026-07-05. This page shows the start time converted to your local timezone.

Where is the British Grand Prix held?

The British Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone in Silverstone, United Kingdom.

Was the British Grand Prix a sprint weekend?

Yes, the British Grand Prix was a sprint weekend with an additional sprint race on Saturday.