Formula 1 heads to the Lusail International Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix, the second-last race of the 2026 season. Here is the full weekend schedule with India timings, and where to watch.
Qatar Grand Prix 2026 dates
The weekend runs from Friday, 27 November, to Sunday, 29 November 2026. It is a traditional format weekend with three practice sessions, qualifying and the race, and there is no sprint. The race is 57 laps of the 5.419-kilometre Lusail circuit, or two hours, whichever comes first.
Schedule in local time and IST
Qatar is two and a half hours behind India, so add 2 hours 30 minutes to the local time to get IST.
- Practice 1: Friday, 4:30 pm local (7:00 pm IST).
- Practice 2: Friday, 8:00 pm local (10:30 pm IST).
- Practice 3: Saturday, 5:30 pm local (8:00 pm IST).
- Qualifying: Saturday, 9:00 pm local (11:30 pm IST).
- Race: Sunday, 7:00 pm local (9:30 pm IST).
How the weekend works
Friday has two practice sessions, which are the only chance to test car setups before qualifying. Saturday begins with a third practice session, followed by qualifying, which is split into three parts, Q1, Q2 and Q3. The fastest drivers fight for pole position in the final part, and the grid for the race is set from the result.
Where to watch in India
FanCode is the streaming home of Formula 1 in India, with live coverage of every session. Check whether you need a pass for the weekend, and log in early on race day.
Why the Qatar race is a night race
The race takes place under the circuit’s floodlights in warm and humid conditions. The long, flowing corners and abrasive surface place constant demands on the car and driver. The evening start also suits television audiences in Europe and the Americas.
How it fits the season
The Qatar race comes a week after the Las Vegas Grand Prix and a week before the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Our guide to the final three races of 2026 explains how the run-in fits together.
What to watch for
Keep an eye on tyre wear, which is a major factor at Lusail, and on qualifying, because track position matters. With only two races left after the Las Vegas round, every point counts in the championship battle.
For more race coverage, visit our Formula 1 section.