The first double-header of the 2021 Formula 1 season finishes up in Spain this weekend.
Through the first three races of the season, it’s as expected: the battle at the top features Lewis Hamilton, reigning champion, and future champion Max Verstappen. The Mercedes-Red Bull duel is going to provide much-needed competition at the front of the grid all throughout 2021.
But where things get very interesting may be the battle for third: McLaren and Ferrari should be locked in a battle this year if early results are any indication, with Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are all drivers to watch the rest of the way.
MORE: Watch Formula 1 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
This week, the drivers get ready for lights out at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s F1 race:
What channel is the F1 race on today?
- Race: Spanish Grand Prix
- Date: Sunday, May 9
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: WatchESPN, fuboTV
The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2021 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports’ feed, with a few races heading to ABC later in the season.
In addition, ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2021 F1 races in the U.S.
What time does the F1 race start today?
- Date: Sunday, May 9
- Start time: 9 a.m. ET
The 10 a.m. ET start time for Sunday’s race means the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix will start at 3:00 p.m. local time. The on-the-hour start time means lights out will likely take place just after 9 a.m. ESPN’s pre-race show usually airs in the hour prior to the start of the race.
Below is the complete TV schedule for the weekend’s F1 events at the Spanish Grand Prix. All times are Eastern.
| Date | Event | Time | TV channel |
| Friday, May 7 | Practice 1 | 5:30 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Friday, May 7 | Practice 2 | 9:00 a.m. | ESPNU |
| Saturday, May 8 | Practice 3 | 6:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, May 8 | Qualifying | 9:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, May 9 | Race | 9:00 a.m. | ESPN |
Formula 1 live stream for Spanish Grand Prix
For those who don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, there are four major OTT TV streaming options that carry ESPN — fuboTV, Sling, Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. Of the four, Hulu and YouTubeTV offer free trial options.
Below are links to each.
For those who do have a cable or satellite subscription but are not in front of a TV, Formula 1 races in 2021 can be streamed live via phones, tablets and other devices on the ESPN app with authentication.
Formula 1 schedule 2021
Formula 1 returns in 2021 with a zaftig 23 race schedule, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28, and concluding with the costomary Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 12.
The Portuguese Grand Prix returns for its second-consecutive running after a 22-year absence. Also making its debut this year is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix taking pace on the Jeddah Street Circuit, scheduled for December.
All times Eastern.
| Date | Race | Course | Start time | TV channel | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit | 11 a.m. | ESPN2 | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| April 18 | Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari | 9 a.m. | TBD | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) |
| May 2 | Portuguese Grand Prix | Algarve International Circuit | 10 a.m. | ESPN | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| May 9 | Spanish Grand Prix | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| May 23 | Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| June 6 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku City Circuit | 8 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| June 13 | Turkish Grand Prix | Istanbul City Circuit | TBD | ESPN2 | TBD |
| June 27 | French Grand Prix | Circuit Paul Ricard | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| July 4 | Austrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| July 18 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit | 10 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Aug. 1 | Hungarian Grand Prix | Hungaroring | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Belgian Grand Prix | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 5 | Dutch Grand Prix | Circuit Zandvoort | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 12 | Italian Grand Prix | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 26 | Russian Grand Prix | Sochi Autodrom | 8 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Oct. 3 | Singapore Grand Prix | Marina Bay Street Circuit | 8 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Oct. 10 | Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka International Racing Course | 1 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Oct. 24 | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas | 3 p.m. | ABC | TBD |
| Oct. 31 | Mexico City Grand Prix | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez | 3 p.m. | ABC | TBD |
| Nov. 7 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace | Noon | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Nov. 21 | Australian Grand Prix | Albert Park Circuit | 1 a.m. | ESPN News | TBD |
| Dec. 5 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Street Circuit | 11 p.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Dec. 12 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit | 8 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |