Expect fireworks this weekend. Not just because this week's F1 race falls on Independence Day in the U.S., but because this year's Austrian Grand Prix could prove to be a pivotal point in this year's championship races.
Red Bull enters the second race on its home track red hot: Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have taken the top step of the podium in each of the past four races, with five total victories in GPs this year so far. Red Bull's charge to the top of the driver's and constructor's tables is, at this point, incredibly legit.
MORE: Watch Formula 1 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
While it's still not even midway through the F1 season, that's an uncomfortable sight for Mercedes, which has had equal parts self-inflicted wounds and a second car to Red Bull in multiple races this year. Verstappen's dominant win over Lewis Hamilton at the Styrian GP means that a championship celebration this year isn't as a sure a thing for Merc and Hamilton.
It's the third leg of a triple-header and the second in a row at Austria. Here's what you need to know about this weekend's F1 race:
What channel is the F1 race on today?
- Race: Austrian Grand Prix
- Date: Sunday, July 4
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: WatchESPN, fuboTV
The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2021 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports' feed, with a few races heading to ABC later in the season.
In addition, ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2021 F1 races in the U.S.
What time does the F1 race start today?
- Date: Sunday, July 4
- Start time: 9 a.m. ET
The 9 a.m. ET start time for Sunday's race means the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix will start at 3 p.m. local time. The on-the-hour start time means lights out will likely take place just after 9 a.m. ESPN's pre-race show usually airs in the hour before the start of the race.
Below is the complete TV schedule for the weekend's F1 events at the Austrian Grand Prix. All times are Eastern.
| Date | Event | Time | TV channel |
| Friday, July 2 | Practice 1 | 5:30 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Friday, July 2 | Practice 2 | 9:00 a.m. | ESPNU |
| Saturday, July 3 | Practice 3 | 6:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, July 3 | Qualifying | 9:00 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, July 4 | Race | 9:00 a.m. | ESPN |
Formula 1 live stream for Austrian Grand Prix
For those who don't have a cable or satellite subscription, there are four major OTT TV streaming options that carry ESPN — fuboTV, Sling, Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. Of the four, Hulu and YouTubeTV offer free trial options.
Below are links to each.
For those who do have a cable or satellite subscription but are not in front of a TV, Formula 1 races in 2021 can be streamed live via phones, tablets and other devices on the ESPN app with authentication.
Formula 1 schedule 2021
In all, there are 23 scheduled races in the 2021 F1 season, with the Portuguese Grand Prix the last race added, sliding onto the docket the first week in March. The originally scheduled Vietnam Grand Prix was removed after the arrest of Nguyen Duc Chung, while the Chinese Grand Prix is currently up in the air. It was originally scheduled for April 11, but will likely not take place this season.
All races will be broadcast on the U.S. side on the ESPN family of networks, with the United States Grand Prix and Mexico City Grand Prix both airing on ABC. The Singapore Grand Prix was also removed from the schedule, with the Turkish Grand Prix returning to the schedule in its stead on Oct. 3.
Please note: The on-the-hour start times do not include the broadcast start time, which is typically five minutes before the start of the race. Times do not include ESPN's customary pre-race shows.
MORE: Live stream F1 races all season on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Here's the latest schedule:
| Date | Race | Course | Start time | TV channel | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit | 11 a.m. | ESPN2 | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| April 18 | Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari | 9 a.m. | TBD | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) |
| May 2 | Portuguese Grand Prix | Algarve International Circuit | 10 a.m. | ESPN | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| May 9 | Spanish Grand Prix | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 9 a.m. | ESPN | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| May 23 | Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) |
| June 6 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku City Circuit | 8 a.m. | ESPN | Sergio Perez (Red Bull) |
| June 20 | French Grand Prix | Circuit Paul Ricard | 9 a.m. | ESPN | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) |
| June 27 | Styrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring | 9 a.m. | ESPN | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) |
| July 4 | Austrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| July 18 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit | 10 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Aug. 1 | Hungarian Grand Prix | Hungaroring | 9 a.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Aug. 29 | Belgian Grand Prix | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 5 | Dutch Grand Prix | Circuit Zandvoort | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 12 | Italian Grand Prix | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 9 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Sept. 26 | Russian Grand Prix | Sochi Autodrom | 8 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Oct. 3 | Turkish Grand Prix | Intercity Istanbul Park | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Oct. 10 | Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka International Racing Course | 1 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Oct. 24 | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas | 3 p.m. | ABC | TBD |
| Oct. 31 | Mexico City Grand Prix | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez | 3 p.m. | ABC | TBD |
| Nov. 7 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace | Noon | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Nov. 21 | Australian Grand Prix | Albert Park Circuit | 1 a.m. | ESPN News | TBD |
| Dec. 5 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Street Circuit | 11 p.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
| Dec. 12 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit | 8 a.m. | ESPN2 | TBD |
