Category: Formula 1

  • WHERE TO WATCH F1 IN 2026

    WHERE TO WATCH F1 IN 2026

    Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

    Table of contents

    And it’s lights out… Away we go for the 2026 F1 season! Speeds north of 370 km/h. Twenty-four races. Twenty-two drivers. Eleven teams. Five continents. One world championship. Formula 1 is the ultimate motorsport spectacle, where engineering brilliance meets razor-sharp reflexes and hair-raising speeds. So, if you’re wondering where to watch F1, you’ve come to the right grid slot. We’re taking you pole position on the full F1 race calendar, the best places in SA to catch every qualifying session and Sunday showdown, and even pet-friendly pubs where you and your co-pilot can catch every apex and overtake.

    PS: While the drivers battle for fastest laps, we’ll show you pet and car insurance claim speeds that move quicker than a pit stop, so your co-pilot and your road rocket are back on track before the chequered flag drops.

    Ready? Lights down. Let’s go.

    The Must-Watch Grands Prix of 2026

    Some races consistently hit top speed in drama:

    • Monaco Grand Prix, Precision driving through tight streets.
    • Italian Grand Prix (Monza), Slipstream battles and historic passion.
    • Brazilian Grand Prix, Unpredictable weather, unpredictable results.
    • Las Vegas Grand Prix, Night racing under neon lights.

    Mark them early on your F1 calendar.

    The 2026 F1 Race Calendar: Full-Throttle Action

    The 2026 season is a 24-round global sprint, stretching from Melbourne in March to Abu Dhabi in December. Here’s your full F1 calendar so you don’t miss a single lap:

    Round 1: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

    DateCircuit
    8 March 2026 Albert Park Circuit, Australia

    Then it’s a quick turnaround to Shanghai.

    Round 2: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai

    DateCircuit
    15 March 2026Shanghai International Circuit, China

    Suzuka follows for Round 3.

    Round 3: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

    DateCircuit
    29 March 2026Suzuka Circuit, Japan

    Then it’s on to one of the drivers’ favourites.

    Round 4: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

    DateCircuit
    April (Cancelled)Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain

    April through to May and June, we head to the night lights of Jeddah, the neon flash of Miami, the island speed strip of Montreal and the royal streets of Monte Carlo.

    Round 5: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah

    DateCircuit
    April (Cancelled)Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia

    Round 6: Miami Grand Prix, Miami Gardens

    DateCircuit
    03 May 2026Miami International Autodrome, USA

    Round 7: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

    DateCircuit
    24 May 2026Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Canada

    Round 8: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo

    DateCircuit
    07 June 2026Circuit de Monaco, Monaco

    The flyaways continue straight into the European leg.

    Round 9: Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Montmeló

    DateCircuit
    14 June 2026Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain

    Round 10: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg

    DateCircuit
    28 June 2026Red Bull Ring, Austria

    Round 11: British Grand Prix, Silverstone

    DateCircuit
    05 July 2026Silverstone Circuit, UK

    Round 12: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps

    DateCircuit
    19 July 2026Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

    Round 13: Hungarian Grand Prix, Mogyoród

    DateCircuit
    26 July 2026Hungaroring, Hungary

    Round 14: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort

    DateCircuit
    23 August 2026Circuit Zandvoort, The Netherlands

    Round 15: Italian Grand Prix, Monza

    DateCircuit
    6 September 2026Autodromo Nazionale, Monza

    Round 16: Spanish Grand Prix, Madrid

    DateCircuit
    13 September 2026Madring Street Circuit, Spain

    Round 17: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku

    DateCircuit
    26 September 2026Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan

    Round 18: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay

    DateCircuit
    11 October 2026Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore

    Then the night races come out to play.

    Round 19: United States Grand Prix, Austin

    DateCircuit
    25 October 2026Circuit of the Americas, USA

    Round 20: Mexico City Grand Prix, Mexico City

    DateCircuit
    1 November 2026Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico

    Round 21: Brazilian Grand Prix, São Paulo

    DateCircuit
    8 November 2026Interlagos, Brazil

    Round 22: Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas

    DateCircuit
    21 November 2026Las Vegas Strip Circuit, USA

    Round 23: Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail

    DateCircuit
    29 November 2026Lusail International Circuit, Qatar

    And finally, the championship decider.

    Round 24: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi

    DateCircuit
    4–6 December 2026Yas Marina Circuit, UAE

    That’s 24 weekends of strategy calls, tyre gambles, and last-lap lunges.  Each Grand Prix weekend is a precision-tuned machine:

    • Friday: Two practice sessions — data gathering, setup fine-tuning, long-run simulations.
    • Saturday: Qualifying — knockout drama for pole position.
    • Sunday: Race day — lights out and away we go.

    Where to Watch F1 in South Africa

    Now the crucial call. Where to watch F1 races live? Here are the best options.

    1. SuperSport on DSTV

    Full throttle coverage of practice, qualifying and race day. Commentary, expert analysis and race replays included.

    2. F1 TV Pro

    The ultimate fan experience:

    • Onboard cameras
    • Team radio
    • Live timing data
    • Multiple commentary feeds
    • On-demand replays.

    It’s as close as you’ll get to the pit wall without a team shirt.

    Top Sports Bars to Watch F1 in South Africa

    Prefer race-day atmosphere? These venues regularly screen Grands Prix:

    Cape TownJohannesburg & Surrounds    East RandPretoria  
    Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House (V&A Waterfront)Ridgeway Racebar (Edenvale)  

    The Baron (Witkoppen)

    Benchwarmers (Rosebank)  

    The Irish Club (Linden)  

    Skyline Sports Bar (Midrand)

    Prison Break Market (Kyalami)      		Bada Bing (Boksburg)

    Restaurant 911 (Boksburg)      		Zappas (Constantia Park)

    Summit Grill & Skybar (Menlyn)  

    Always call ahead to confirm screening and times.

    What About the Four-Legged F1 Fans?

    Now here’s where we change gears. Some venues like Prison BreakMarket (Kyalami) and selected branches of The Baron and Mitchell’s offer outdoor, pet-friendly areas. That means your furry race fan can join the watch party.

    But remember, Race-day excitement can mean:

    • Loud crowds
    • Fireworks (especially Vegas & Abu Dhabi weekends)
    • Busy roads
    • Sudden celebrations when someone dives down the inside into Turn 1.

    That’s where comprehensive pet insurance comes in. From unexpected vet visits to accidents at dog-friendly venues, having cover means you’re protected when life throws a red flag. You insure your car before you hit the road. But what about your four-legged pit crew?

    TIPS: Keep pets leashed, bring water, avoid crowded indoor sections, and check venue pet policies beforehand.

    Final Lap

    Formula 1 may not yet race on South African soil, but fans here can still enjoy every hairpin, overtake and podium celebration.

    Whether you’re streaming from home, heading to a sports bar, now you know exactly when and where to watch F1 in 2026.

    So fuel up. Lock in the dates. Protect what matters with dotsure.co.za: Your car and your pets. Contact us today, because when it comes to real-life bumps and scrapes, you want claim turnaround times with podium pace. Get pet and car insurance that puts you in the driver’s seat.