2026 FIA Formula 3 Silverstone preview: session times and how to follow
Formula 3 heads to Silverstone with both title fights finely balanced
The 2026 FIA Formula 3 season moves from Spielberg to Silverstone for Round 5, with the championship picture still exceptionally tight across both the driversâ and teamsâ standings. After an electrifying start to the campaign, the British venue now becomes the next pressure point in a season where every session carries weight.
Silverstoneâs place on the calendar gives this weekend a familiar sense of occasion, but for the Formula 3 paddock the focus is sharply competitive. With margins compressed and momentum still fragile, drivers and teams will be looking to convert the weekendâs early running into meaningful results before the Feature Race closes the round on Sunday.
For those following the wider Silverstone support-category programme, our related guide to the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Silverstone weekend sets out the key details for F2âs visit to the same venue.
Session start times
Practice
The Silverstone weekend begins on Friday morning with a 45-minute Free Practice session at 08:50 local time. As ever in Formula 3, that opening run will be crucial: teams must gather the information they need quickly, while drivers have limited time to settle into the circuit and build confidence before qualifying.
Qualifying
The field returns later on Friday for Qualifying at 14:00 local time. With both championships so closely poised, the fight for pole position is expected to be fiercely contested. Track position for the races will be a major factor in shaping the weekend, making qualifying one of the defining moments of Round 5.
Race weekend format and coverage
Practice and Qualifying take place on Friday, followed by the Sprint Race on Saturday. The weekend then concludes with the Feature Race on Sunday, completing another important round in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 campaign.
Every Formula 3 session from Silverstone will be available live on F1 TV, as it happens. Fans can also check local broadcaster details and session timings through the official Formula 3 viewing information. F1 TV Pro and Premium remain available only in selected locations.
How to follow Silverstone updates
Formula 3âs official social media channels will provide live news, reaction and behind-the-scenes content throughout the Silverstone weekend. Updates will be available across Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
The official Formula 3 website will also carry full coverage from Round 5, including session reports after the chequered flag, plus reaction and interviews with drivers and team personnel across the weekend.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.