What time is the Mexican F1 Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland on Sunday?

News Summary

• The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 8pm GMT on Sunday, November 1, for viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
• Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the race live in Britain, with streaming available through eligible Sky and NOW subscriptions.
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli can become Formula 1 world champion in Mexico, needing ninth place or better regardless of his rivals’ results.

Formula 1 returns to action on Sunday (1 November) with the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix starting at 20:00 GMT in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The 71-lap race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez could decide the Drivers’ World Championship, with Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli arriving in Mexico holding a commanding advantage over teammate George Russell.

The Grand Prix begins at 14:00 local time in Mexico City, meaning British and Irish fans can follow the race on Sunday evening. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK, while eligible subscribers can also watch through NOW.

What time does the Mexican F1 Grand Prix start in the UK?

The Mexican Grand Prix starts at 8pm GMT on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

The United Kingdom and Ireland returned to Greenwich Mean Time on October 25, when daylight saving time ended. Both countries therefore remain six hours ahead of Mexico City for Sunday’s race.

The distinction is important for viewers using older schedules or comparing the Mexican Grand Prix with previous rounds held under British Summer Time.

Qualifying takes place on Saturday evening in Britain, with the race following 23 hours later.

Mexican Grand Prix 2026 — UK and Ireland schedule

All times refer to the start of the official Formula 1 sessions. Television build-up and post-session programming may begin or end at different times.

Where to watch the Mexican GP live in Britain and Ireland

Sky Sports F1 carries live coverage of the Mexican Grand Prix in the United Kingdom, including qualifying and Sunday’s race.

British viewers can watch through an eligible Sky Sports subscription, with streaming also available through NOW.

Sky Sports Main Event may also carry selected Formula 1 programming, depending on the broadcaster’s schedule.

Channel 4 provides free-to-air Formula 1 highlights in the United Kingdom rather than the full race live.

In Ireland, Sky Sports’ Formula 1 coverage is available through eligible television packages and streaming services.

Viewers should check their provider’s listings for the exact start of pre-race programming, as the 8pm GMT time refers to the race start, not the beginning of the television broadcast.

F1 TV services may provide additional features in supported markets, including live timing, onboard cameras and race analysis, subject to regional availability.

Antonelli could secure 2026 F1 title in Mexico

Sunday’s race could produce the first major championship decision of the season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived in Mexico with 365 points, leading George Russell by 123 and Lewis Hamilton by 124.

The Mercedes driver strengthened his position by winning the United States Grand Prix at Austin on October 25, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.

Antonelli now has an opportunity to secure his first Formula 1 World Championship with four races still remaining after Mexico.

The Italian needs to finish ninth or higher in Sunday’s Grand Prix to guarantee the title regardless of his closest rivals’ results.

Ninth place would earn two championship points, sufficient to protect his advantage even if Russell or Hamilton won the race.

A lower finishing position could still allow Antonelli to become champion, depending on the results of the other drivers involved in the mathematical title fight.

Mexico City is the 19th round of the 2026 season, followed by São Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes fight for Mexico pole position

Although Antonelli enters the weekend as the championship favourite, the battle for victory remains competitive.

Charles Leclerc emerged as one of the favourites for pole after leading both Friday practice sessions.

The Ferrari driver recorded 1:17.827 in FP2, finishing just 0.103s ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Russell placed third, only 0.106s behind Leclerc, while Antonelli finished fourth.

Max Verstappen completed the top five, although his preparation was complicated by a collision with Liam Lawson during the session.

Both Verstappen and Lawson received one-place grid penalties following the incident, with the FIA also assigning each driver one penalty point on their super licences.

Ferrari also experienced reliability concerns when Lewis Hamilton stopped during FP2 with a power unit problem.

The final qualifying order, combined with any penalties, will establish the starting grid for Sunday’s race.

How long is the Mexican Grand Prix?

The Mexico City Grand Prix is scheduled to cover 71 laps of the 4.304km Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, producing a race distance of approximately 305.35km.

The circuit is located more than 2,200 metres above sea level, making it one of the most technically demanding venues on the Formula 1 calendar.

Reduced air density affects engine cooling, aerodynamic efficiency and braking performance.

The circuit features a long main straight, several medium-speed corners and the distinctive Foro Sol stadium section.

The 2026 race uses the traditional Grand Prix weekend format, with three practice sessions, qualifying and Sunday’s race. There is no sprint.

When is the next F1 race after Mexico?

Following the Mexican Grand Prix, Formula 1 travels to Interlagos for the São Paulo Grand Prix on November 8.

The championship then heads to Las Vegas on November 21, Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.

Remaining Formula 1 races in 2026

GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.