News Summary
- Singapore GP sprint qualifying starts at 20:30 local time on Friday, October 9, equivalent to 13:30 BST and 08:30 ET.
- Apple TV broadcasts the session in the US, while Sky Sports F1 provides live coverage in the UK and Ireland.
- Sprint qualifying determines the starting grid for Saturday’s 21-lap sprint, which offers eight championship points to the winner.
Formula 1’s first Singapore GP sprint qualifying session takes place on Friday, October 9, at 20:30 local time, with drivers competing under the Marina Bay floodlights to determine the starting order for Saturday’s shorter race.
The session begins at 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 ET in the United States and Canada and 18:00 IST in India. Singapore hosts a sprint for the first time in 2026, giving teams only one free-practice session before the first competitive qualifying session of the weekend.
The format creates an immediate challenge for Mercedes, which is comparing different aerodynamic specifications on George Russell’s and Kimi Antonelli’s cars. Red Bull, meanwhile, arrives after Max Verstappen’s victory at Sepang, while Ferrari and McLaren are attempting to establish their competitiveness on the Singapore street circuit.
What time is Singapore F1 sprint qualifying?
| Country / region | Start time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (SGT) | 20:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 13:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| United States / Canada (ET) | 08:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| United States (PT) | 05:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| India (IST) | 18:00 | Friday, October 9 |
| Australia — Sydney/Melbourne (AEDT) | 23:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| Australia — Perth (AWST) | 20:30 | Friday, October 9 |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 01:30 | Saturday, October 10 |
Sprint qualifying is scheduled to last approximately 44 minutes, with three elimination stages determining the grid for Saturday’s sprint.
Where to watch Singapore GP sprint qualifying live
The Singapore GP is available through the championship’s official broadcast partners, with live television and streaming options varying by territory.
| Country / region | TV and streaming |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom / Ireland | Sky Sports F1, Sky Go, NOW |
| United States | Apple TV |
| Canada | TSN, RDS |
| India | FanCode, TATA Play FanCode Sports |
| Australia | Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ |
F1 TV provides live coverage in supported territories, subject to local broadcasting rights. In the UK, Channel 4 offers highlights rather than live sprint qualifying coverage.
How does F1 sprint qualifying work?
Sprint qualifying is divided into three sessions: SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3. The slowest drivers are eliminated after the first two stages, leaving the final 10 to compete for sprint pole position.
The results determine the grid for Saturday’s 21-lap sprint, not Sunday’s Grand Prix. The sprint awards points to the first eight finishers, with eight for victory and one for eighth place.
The regular Grand Prix qualifying session takes place separately on Saturday, October 10, at 21:00 Singapore time.
A driver can score up to 33 championship points across the weekend, combining eight from the sprint and 25 from Sunday’s race. The complete system is explained in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s F1 sprint points guide.
When are the remaining Singapore GP sessions?
| Session | Singapore (SGT) | UK (BST) | US/Canada (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday — FP1 | 16:30 | 09:30 | 04:30 |
| Friday — sprint qualifying | 20:30 | 13:30 | 08:30 |
| Saturday — sprint | 17:00 | 10:00 | 05:00 |
| Saturday — GP qualifying | 21:00 | 14:00 | 09:00 |
| Sunday — Grand Prix | 20:00 | 13:00 | 08:00 |
The complete Singapore GP schedule, including all start times and broadcast information is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s weekend guide. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is the 2026 Singapore GP?
The Singapore GP starts at 20:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 13:00 in the UK, 08:00 ET in the US and Canada and 17:30 in India. Singapore is a sprint weekend, with sprint qualifying on Friday and the sprint on Saturday.
Why does George Russell have a grid penalty in Singapore?
Russell has exhausted his permitted allocation of four engines after suffering a power-unit failure at Sepang. Mercedes must introduce another unit, triggering a grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The penalty does not apply to Saturday’s sprint.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 championship in Singapore?
No. Antonelli leads Russell by 84 points, 320 to 236, but cannot mathematically secure the 2026 title in Singapore. His first opportunity to become world champion comes at the United States GP in Austin.
