The F1 2026 season is underway, with substantial changes to Sky Sports' television coverage. Last week saw Mercedes' George Russell win the opening race of the year in Melbourne, Australia, and the drivers have now arrived in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. Sky Sports revealed plans before the season to launch 'cutting-edge broadcast innovations' for its F1 programming.

Fans will shortly gain access to an immersive sidebar throughout each race weekend, showcasing Race Control, in-race standings, and a Recap (or replay) feature. They will also be able to stream onboard cameras from every driver, along with pages, enhanced data, explainers, and improved homepage navigation. Viewers will also be able to stream onboard cameras from every driver, accompanied by team radio communications, during each race weekend. These new features will be rolled out later this year at no extra cost to Sky Sports customers on Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and Sky Q devices, with a launch date still to be confirmed.

F1 fans who don't currently have Sky can subscribe from £35 per month for the broadcaster's flagship Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.

This package provides live coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race from every race weekend this season. The bundle incorporates nine Sky Sports channels, approximately 100 regular TV channels, and subscriptions to Netflix and Disney+.

There's also the £42 Ultimate TV and Sky Sports package, which provides 35 extra channels and will include Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu at no additional charge from March. Sky subscribers can incorporate Sky Sports F1 into their existing subscription package, with a rolling monthly membership reduced from £20 to £15 via a special promotion.

Virgin Media subscribers can obtain Sky Sports channels through the provider's £52.99 Sport package, which comprises more than 200 channels, 362Mbps fibre broadband and Netflix. A condition of both Sky and Virgin's offers is that prices may alter at least twice throughout the 24-month contracts, including the customary April price rise.

Sky promotes itself as the 'ultimate destination' for F1, with the new additions enhancing existing coverage such as Pit Wall Live, The Grid Walk, The F1 Show and the returning The Notebook. The latter broadcasts post-qualifying and post-race on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively, providing analysis and the latest developments from the paddock with reporter Ted Kravitz.

Announcing the modifications, Sky said: "Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recent years. With viewership increasing year-on-year, 2026 promises to be even bigger with new cars and rule changes coming into play.

"Featuring an expert line-up, cutting-edge broadcast innovations, and the only place to watch live coverage of all 24 races, Sky Sports remains the ultimate destination for Formula 1 fans in the UK and Ireland."