F1 qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix starts at 16:00 local time at Spa-Francorchamps — that's 15:00 in the UK, 10:00 a.m. ET and 7:00 a.m. PT. If you're in the United States, the bigger question this season is where to watch: Formula 1 is now exclusive to Apple TV in the US. Here are the timings, the viewing options, and the free-access detail a lot of fans don't know.
What Time Is F1 Qualifying Today?
| Time zone | Qualifying start |
|---|---|
| Belgium (local, Spa) | 16:00 |
| UK | 15:00 |
| US Eastern (ET) | 10:00 a.m. |
| US Pacific (PT) | 7:00 a.m. |
Important: F1 qualifying does not start at the same time every weekend — each race follows its host country's local schedule, so a European race lands mid-morning in the US while an Asian race can mean the middle of the night. Always check the specific Grand Prix.
How to Watch F1 in the US in 2026
This is the season everything changed for American fans: Apple TV is now the exclusive US broadcast partner for Formula 1. What that means in practice:
- Everything is in one place — every practice, qualifying, sprint and Grand Prix.
- English and Spanish commentary, with access to both F1 TV and Sky Sports feeds.
- Free Practice sessions are FREE — no subscription needed at all.
- Qualifying and the race require an Apple TV subscription.
So if you just want to watch cars run at Spa on a Friday, you can do it at zero cost. If you want the session that actually sets the grid, that's behind the paywall.
Hamilton Crashes as Antonelli Sets the Pace
Final practice delivered drama on both ends of the grid. Kimi Antonelli was fastest with a 1:45.990, a tenth clear of Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen third.
Then, on his last lap, Lewis Hamilton lost the rear through the Turn 13 left-hander, ran into the gravel and glanced the barrier, damaging the Ferrari before stopping down the road. It mirrored Pierre Gasly's FP2 incident at the same spot. With just over two hours until qualifying, Ferrari's mechanics were left in a straight race against the clock to get the car repaired and out on track.
Why Spa Is Different
Spa-Francorchamps is the longest circuit on the calendar and one of the most weather-dependent — it's long enough that one end can be dry while the other is wet, which regularly turns qualifying into a lottery. Combine that with the elevation change through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, and it's the session drivers most often describe as the hardest to time correctly.
More Sports This Weekend
It's a stacked weekend: the World Cup final is Sunday, and The Open Championship reaches its final round at Royal Birkdale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What time is F1 qualifying today?
Belgian GP qualifying is 16:00 local / 15:00 UK / 10:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. PT. Times change race to race with the host country's zone.
How do you watch F1 in the US in 2026?
Formula 1 is exclusive to Apple TV in the United States — every session, with English and Spanish commentary plus F1 TV and Sky feeds.
Can you watch F1 without an Apple TV subscription?
Yes, for practice — all Free Practice sessions stream free. Qualifying and the race require a subscription.
What happened to Lewis Hamilton in FP3?
He crashed on his final lap at Turn 13, damaging the Ferrari with barely two hours before qualifying. Antonelli was fastest on a 1:45.990 from Norris and Verstappen.
