Ah, Imola.
After a three-week early season hiatus, Formula 1 returns this weekend with the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the second running of the race after the circuit was reintroduced in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. And we should be in for some fireworks.
A highly entertaining debut race at Bahrain featured an end-lap duel between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with Hamilton just holding off Verstappen to take the checkered flag in the debut race of the season.
Hamilton’s win wasn’t without controversy, though: Verstappen passed Hamilton by exceeding track limits in the closing laps, with the Red Bull driver being forced to give up the spot to Hamilton by race control. Verstappen wasn’t pleased, but an advantage was gained. Rules are rules.
F1 drivers shift into gear in Italy this weekend as Hamilton looks to go back-to-back to start the season — and at the track.
Here’s what you need to know about the second race of the 2021 F1 season:
MORE: Watch Formula 1 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is the F1 race on today?
- Race: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
- Date: Sunday, April 18, 2021
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Live stream: WatchESPN, fuboTV
The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2020 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, April 18
- Start time: 9 a.m. ET
The 9 a.m. ET start time for Sunday’s race means the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will start at 3:00 p.m. local time. The on-the-hour start time means lights out will likely take place at 9:05 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 Sakhir Grand Prix. All times are Eastern.
| Date | Event | Time | TV channel |
| Friday, April 16 | Practice 1 | 5:00 a.m. | ESPNU |
| Friday, April 16 | Practice 2 | 8:30 a.m. | ESPNU |
| Saturday, April 17 | Practice 3 | 5:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, April 17 | Qualifying | 8:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, April 18 | Race | 9:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
Formula 1 live stream for Emilia Romagna 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 | TBD |
| May 2 | Portuguese Grand Prix | Algarve International Circuit | 10 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| 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 | Canadian Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | 2 p.m. | 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 |