Canadian Grand Prix Sprint Race Today: Start Time, TV Channel and How to Watch Free Live Stream
Formula 1 returns to action in Montreal this weekend as the 2026 season heads to the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Canadian Grand Prix sprint weekend. After a short pause between rounds four and five of the championship, teams and drivers are back on track with a packed schedule that includes the always-entertaining sprint race format.
Unlike a standard Grand Prix weekend, sprint events bring extra intensity by replacing one of the practice sessions with a shorter race that still carries major importance for drivers and constructors. Fans will get a 23-lap dash around the famous Montreal circuit before qualifying later in the day, creating non-stop action from start to finish.
The sprint race takes place on Saturday, May 23, with lights out scheduled for 12:00pm local time in Montreal. In the UK, that means a 5:00pm BST start, while viewers across different regions can tune in through a variety of broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Mercedes arrive looking especially strong after an impressive sprint qualifying session on Friday. George Russell secured sprint pole position after edging team-mate Kimi Antonelli in a dominant showing for the Silver Arrows. McLaren’s Lando Norris lines up third, while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain firmly in contention for Ferrari.
The qualifying session itself produced plenty of drama. Multiple red flags disrupted running, while incidents involving Alexander Albon and Liam Lawson added further chaos to an already unpredictable evening in Canada. Albon was unable to continue after sustaining significant damage to his Williams following contact with wildlife during practice, while Lawson suffered technical problems that ruled him out of sprint qualifying.
Fans hoping to watch the sprint race live have several viewing options available. In the UK, coverage is being broadcast live on Sky Sports through Sky Sports F1, which continues to hold exclusive live Formula 1 rights. Highlights will also be available free-to-air via Channel 4.
International viewers can also access coverage through official streaming services including Formula One’s F1 TV platform, while several regions offer free streaming alternatives depending on local broadcast rights.
This weekend marks the third sprint event of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and with the championship battle beginning to heat up, every point could prove crucial. Mercedes appear to have made a significant step forward in performance, but McLaren and Ferrari remain close enough to challenge throughout the sprint and Sunday’s main race.
With changing weather conditions, a tight circuit and aggressive sprint racing all combining in Montreal, fans could be set for one of the most dramatic weekends of the season so far.