What Time Is the F1 Race Today: Get Ready for Race Day

• by Bennett Kincaid
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So you’re scrolling for what time is the F1 race today—and if you’re like most fans, you hate missing that first lap. The official start time matters, especially when races bounce across time zones and TV schedules get weird. Checking the race time isn't just about catching the lights out; it's about soaking up all the action, pre-race buildup, and those rapid-fire pit stops.

No need to dig through random listings or outdated social posts. Here’s what you actually need: check the official F1 website and your local broadcaster for the exact race start where you live. Don’t forget, race times can shift last minute due to weather, incidents, or safety checks, so staying flexible helps. If you want to catch the full show—the driver parade, pre-race interviews, and all the hype—tune in at least half an hour before the official start.

• Today's F1 Race Start Time
• Where and How to Watch
• Time Zones: Don’t Get Caught Out
• F1 Race Day Rituals and Fun Facts
• Tips for Staying Ahead on F1 Schedules

Today's F1 Race Start Time

If you’re looking for the exact answer to what time is the f1 race today, here you go: The 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola kicks off at 3:00 pm local time in Italy, which is 2:00 pm in London (BST), 9:00 am in New York (EDT), and 6:00 am in Los Angeles (PDT). This isn’t a guess or rumor—it’s straight from the official Formula 1 calendar update for today, May 13, 2025.

If you’re checking from somewhere else, here’s a quick tip for converting race time:

• Use Google with the phrase “3 pm Imola time to [your city] time” for an instant answer.
• Set your phone’s calendar app to issue a reminder—F1 races rarely start late, so don’t assume there’s wiggle room.
• Double-check your local broadcaster’s listings. Sometimes TV coverage starts earlier for pre-race analysis or might delay live coverage for commercials—especially in the US.

Keep in mind that sometimes there’s a last-minute change, but that’s rare for the main Sunday race. Sticking to the official sources is your best bet. Want to catch the drama leading up to lights out? The pre-race show usually starts around an hour before, with the grid walk starting 30 minutes prior.

Where and How to Watch

Finding the right place to watch Formula 1 can save you from last-minute panic. Whether you're after cable TV, streaming, or highlights, there are solid options in most countries. TV broadcasters often hold exclusive rights, so your location makes a big difference.

• United States: ESPN owns F1 broadcasting rights. You can catch the race live on ESPN or via streaming on ESPN+ and FuboTV. Spanish coverage is on ESPN Deportes.
• United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1 is your go-to. You can also watch highlights on Channel 4, but for full live coverage you’ll need Sky or NOW TV.
• Canada: TSN covers F1 in English and RDS in French. Streaming through TSN Direct is available for cord-cutters.
• Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo Sports are the official partners. Free-to-air highlights appear on Channel 10, but live action needs a paid service.
• India: F1 TV Pro offers live races with English commentary since there’s currently no major TV deal for 2025.

Globally, the what time is the f1 race today question is also about which service gets you live streaming. F1 TV Pro is a solid worldwide option. It provides not only the race but also onboard cameras, team radios, documentaries, and archived classics. For die-hards, it's worth the subscribe.

Many races are watched on mobile now. Downloading official apps like F1 TV, ESPN, or Sky Go gives you flexibility if you’re on the go. Don’t forget: streaming platforms sometimes lag a little behind live broadcast, which can make group chats tricky.

Here’s a handy breakdown of who’s broadcasting F1 live in key countries:

If you live somewhere not listed above, check the Formula 1 website’s official "Where to Watch" page. They keep the global list updated as deals change each season.

Time Zones: Don’t Get Caught Out

If you’ve ever tuned in late and wondered, “Did I miss Lights Out?”—welcome to one of the biggest headaches in F1. The championship hops around the globe every year, and race times change depending on where it’s being held. Figuring out what time is the F1 race today depends on more than the country; it depends on where you live, and what a "local time" even means for your TV schedule.

A European Grand Prix can start at 3:00 p.m. local, but if you’re in New York, that’s 9:00 a.m.—not exactly the same vibe if you’re still half asleep. Suzuka’s race in Japan starts in the afternoon there, but that’s about midnight on the west coast of the U.S. DST (Daylight Saving Time) messes with the schedule more than once a year. It’s easy to miss the action if you rely on just the local host city’s times.

If you want to be on top of it, use your phone’s calendar and set reminders in your own time zone—not the host city’s. Google and Apple calendars usually let you pick your region, or just ask your smart speaker, "Hey, what time is the F1 race today?" It’ll convert it straight away.

• Bookmark a trusted F1 schedule site that updates with your time zone automatically.
• If you travel, double-check the time zone settings on your phone before race day.
• Remember, streaming apps sometimes show countdowns in your region—use this to your advantage.

Missing a start because of a time zone flub stings—especially if it’s a wild race. Quick tip: grab a screenshot of the race schedule after the FIA updates it, and save it to your phone. Last-minute changes aren’t uncommon, especially when there’s a red flag, crazy weather, or something unexpected.

F1 Race Day Rituals and Fun Facts

If you think drivers just show up and race, think again. F1 is packed with weird little habits, last-minute tweaks, and old-school rituals. Basically, every driver and team has their own version of a lucky charm or pre-race routine. Lewis Hamilton listens to music and does stretching; Max Verstappen almost always puts on his right glove and boot first. There’s even a story that Sebastian Vettel used to name all his cars—one year, his „Eva“ won 11 races.

Teams get into it too. Ferrari always wears red on Sundays, and Mercedes runs through a strict pre-race checklist that looks more like a NASA moon launch. Some teams check tire pressures so many times it gets borderline obsessive. Superstitions run strong; in 2012, Kimi Räikkönen famously napped just minutes before winning a Grand Prix.

The start time isn’t random either. Most F1 races begin at ten minutes past the hour—usually 2:10 p.m. local time. This gives time for the national anthem and a short pre-race ceremony right before the action begins. The schedule’s tight; organizers have things to the minute because broadcasters are watching. Here’s how a typical modern Grand Prix day stacks up:

Another little-known fact: engineers deliberately chill the champagne during the race so it’s ready for the podium spray. And have you noticed drivers usually avoid stepping on the markings of first, second, and third on the podium before the result? They do it for luck, because no one wants to jinx their finish.

• Red Bull’s pit stop crew holds the record for fastest tire change: 1.82 seconds at Brazil in 2019.
• Most drivers have a favorite song on their pre-race playlist—Charles Leclerc tends to blast Queen.
• Rain dance? Not quite. But McLaren crews have joked about it when a wet race could give them a strategic advantage.

Sticking to these traditions isn’t just for fun; a bit of routine helps everyone handle race day nerves and focus on winning. That’s why when fans ask what time is the f1 race today, it’s not just about watching the start—there’s a whole world happening around the grid.

Tips for Staying Ahead on F1 Schedules

Missing the start of a Formula 1 race is like hearing the crowd roar after the band played your favorite song—there’s nothing worse. Here’s how to outsmart the chaos and always know what time is the f1 race today.

• Subscribe to F1 Schedule Alerts: The official F1 app isn’t just for live timing; it sends push notifications a couple of hours before the start and right at lights-out. Free and hard to miss.
• Sync Your Calendar: Formula 1 posts its full season calendar at the start of the year. Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar let you import all race weekends—your phone pings you right on time, and you’ll never wonder when a GP sneaks up.
• Use Time Zone Tools: If you travel or have that friend group spread around the globe, time zone converters like Timeanddate.com can save you from missing it by an hour—or waking up at 3 AM for no reason.
• Check Local Broadcaster Schedules: ESPN, Sky Sports, and F1TV have websites and apps that update live start times. If the race gets delayed, these guys usually break the news within minutes.
• Follow Official F1 Socials: Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook will push real-time updates for schedule changes, driver incidents, or weather delays.

Most F1 races run on Sundays, with start times between 2 PM and 3 PM local circuit time. Here are a few upcoming start times (local circuit time):

Stuff happens—rain, crashes, or technical issues can push the start. So even if you’re dialed in, double-check an hour before. Setting alarms on both your phone and smart speaker is a lifesaver, especially for those brutal early races in Asia or Australia.