Race weekend · Updated 23 August 2026
What time does the Madrid Grand Prix start?
The 2026 Madrid race starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday 13 September — 13:00 UTC.
01
Race start
The published race start is Sunday 13 September at 15:00 in Madrid (CEST, UTC+2), equivalent to 13:00 UTC. This is the start of the formation lap, not the recommended time to reach the gate.
02
When to arrive
For an inaugural event, allow more margin than you would at an established circuit. Transport queues, zone-specific access and unfamiliar walking routes can all add time.
- Be in your correct North or South zone well before the pre-race programme
- Use the station or shuttle named for your ticket section
- Save your digital ticket offline before leaving your hotel
03
Watching from abroad
Use the site calendar for automatic conversion to your device time zone. Broadcaster schedules often begin one or two hours before the formation lap.