New F1 TV features give UK viewers more control under Skysports 2026 plans
From this weekend, UK viewers will get an immersive race sidebar, dedicated driver and team pages, and live access to all practice, qualifying and race sessions under Skysports’ 2026 Formula 1 plans. Sunday at 4: 00 a. m. ET: Sky Sports F1 starts live coverage of the Australian Grand Prix, with build-up from 2: 30 a. m. ET and a new title song by Tate McRae.
Skysports adds an immersive sidebar, Race Control and in-race recaps for TV viewers
The immediate change is a smart on-screen sidebar that will appear during races to show Race Control, Recap and in-race standings, giving viewers faster access to overtakes and key moments. The update also brings dedicated driver and team pages with onboard camera feeds, enhanced data and explainers to the television experience, a set of features described as adding more flexibility and choice for race weekends.
Tate McRae’s ‘Just Keep Watching’ and full live coverage begin with the Australian Grand Prix
Fans will hear Tate McRae’s ‘Just Keep Watching’ as a new title song as Sky Sports F1 opens its live season coverage, which will include every round of the 24-race 2026 Formula 1 season. Coverage begins in Australia on March 6, with the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday at 4: 00 a. m. ET and build-up programming starting at 2: 30 a. m. ET.
Who gets the upgrade and how non-subscribers can watch Sky Sports F1
The TV boost will be delivered to subscribers using Sky Glass, Sky Stream and Sky Q at no extra cost for customers who are paying for Sky Sports, and the company has said the enhancement will arrive later this season. Non-Sky subscribers can purchase a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership for contract-free access to Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports F1, to stream the new coverage and features.
Sky Sports plans to continue its broadcast partnership through to 2029, keeping live coverage and the broadcast innovations in place for the remainder of that agreement.
More details on rollout timing are expected later this season, but the next confirmed event is the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday at 4: 00 a. m. ET (build-up from 2: 30 a. m. ET). If the sidebar and driver-page rollout arrives later this season, paying Sky Sports customers will have the new features for the rest of the 24-race season.
