Sky F1 Returns to Air Ahead of 2026 Launch Season
Sky F1 has returned to air following its annual winter break replacement by a darts channel, signaling the imminent start of the 2026 Formula 1 launch season and pre-season testing.
The Sky F1 channel has resumed broadcasting after its temporary replacement by Sky Sports Darts for the PDC World Championship. The switch, a regular occurrence during the winter break, ended just in time for the start of the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season activities. With the darts tournament concluded, fans can now tune in for comprehensive coverage of the upcoming car launches and testing.
Why it matters:
For UK and Ireland-based F1 fans, Sky F1 is the home of Formula 1, and its return marks the end of the off-season lull. The timing is crucial as the sport now enters a critical period of team launches and pre-season testing, where the first glimpses of 2026 contenders emerge. It signals the shift from off-season speculation to on-track action.
The details:
- The channel swap is an annual tradition, with Sky Sports Darts taking over to cover the popular PDC World Darts Championship.
- The F1 channel went off-air shortly after Lando Norris clinched his first World Championship in Abu Dhabi, while the darts tournament concluded with 18-year-old Luke Littler winning his second consecutive title.
- The return of Sky F1 aligns perfectly with the packed pre-season calendar:
- Jan 15: Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are set to launch their 2026 liveries at a Ford event in Detroit.
- Jan 19: Haas is expected to be the first team to reveal its actual 2026 car.
- Jan 26-30: A five-day, closed-door test will be held in Barcelona.
- Feb 11-13 & 18-20: Two further pre-season tests are scheduled in Bahrain.
- Mar 8: The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix.
What's next:
The focus of the F1 world now shifts to the launch season, where teams will unveil their 2026 challengers. These events, followed by the crucial pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, will provide the first real indicators of the competitive order ahead of the new season.