2026 Mexico City Grand Prix: Full Schedule, Start Times and TV Coverage for Indian Fans

The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix – the first Formula 1 race to be held on a purpose‑built circuit in the capital – has its full schedule released. According to The Independent, the weekend will run from Friday 12 October to Sunday 14 October, with practice sessions, qualifying and the race all set to start at specific local times. Read Motorsport confirms the same dates and adds detailed start‑time conversions for key markets, including the United Kingdom, United States and India.

Weekend timetable (Mexico City local time)

• Friday 12 Oct – Free Practice 1: 13:30, Free Practice 2: 17:00
• Saturday 13 Oct – Free Practice 3: 12:30, Qualifying: 16:00
• Sunday 14 Oct – Race start: 15:00

All times are listed in Central Standard Time (UTC‑6). For Indian fans, the race will kick off at 01:30 IST on Monday 15 October, with the preceding sessions beginning between 22:00 IST (Friday practice) and 02:30 IST (Saturday qualifying). The early‑morning start means Indian viewers will need to tune in late at night or early the next morning, a pattern familiar from other North‑American and Central‑American rounds.

Broadcast coverage in Mexico will be on Televisa’s TUDN network, while the United Kingdom can watch via Sky Sports F1 and the United States via ESPN. In India, the official streaming partner for the 2026 season remains FanCode, which will stream the race live on its platform and also provide a delayed broadcast on its YouTube channel for those who miss the live slot. FanCode typically offers a free‑to‑watch live stream for the race, with a subscription required for the full practice and qualifying coverage.

For Indian audiences, the time‑zone shift also presents an opportunity to catch the race alongside the weekend’s other sporting events. The 01:30 IST start places the Grand Prix after the prime‑time cricket slot, meaning fans can enjoy a back‑to‑back sports marathon. Moreover, the Mexican circuit’s high‑altitude layout promises a unique challenge for teams, potentially shaking up the championship battle and offering fresh storylines for the Indian F1 community to follow.

Fans should mark their calendars, set reminders for the 01:30 IST race start, and ensure they have a stable internet connection for the FanCode stream. As the season progresses, the Mexico City Grand Prix could become a pivotal round, especially for drivers who excel in hot, thin‑air conditions.

Source: The Independent