Formula 1 is here for 2026, with the Australian Grand Prix kicking off this week.
Everything changes this year, with a complete overhaul of the cars with the aim of offering more exciting racing. In short, the cars are shorter, narrower and designed to encourage more overtaking, especially on tighter street circuits.
This could lead to a real shake-up of the order, and early suggestions point to Mercedes being the team to beat. Red Bull, of course, will be there or thereabouts thanks to the indomitable Max Verstappen, while McLaren’s Lando Norris will be aiming for back-to-back world championships.
How to listen to Formula 1 on BBC Radio 5 Live
To access BBC Radio 5 Live’s Formula 1 coverage for 2026, you have several options, including BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app (iOS/Android) are also available.
The line-up will be broadcast on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra – with their full schedule available here.
To listen you’ll need a BBC account – sign up here.
And if you miss any of the action, you can listen to the F1: Checkered Flag podcast, where they discuss tournament news in depth.
Can I access Formula 1 coverage on BBC Sounds from abroad or on holiday?
Yes. UK residents wanting to listen to F1 while traveling abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which offers 73% off, 3 extra months free and an Amazon gift card right now…
How to unblock BBC Sounds with a VPN
If you’re currently outside the UK and unable to use BBC Sounds, you can still access the app through the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
The software allows your devices to appear as if they are back in your home country, no matter where you are in the world. Ideal for listeners traveling to work or on vacation who want a taste of home.
NordVPN is our favorite:
BBC Sounds Troubleshooting Tips
If you always You can’t access BBC Sounds even with the help of a VPN, you can try a few other things.
Make sure your BBC account is linked to a valid UK postcode, such as SE1 7PB.
The BBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) will not appear in the Play Store or App Store outside the UK, but you may be able to work around this by changing your phone’s region in the settings menu.
The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, is engaged in a never-ending cat-and-mouse battle with VPN providers.
Although we have ranked the best iPlayer VPNs, which we have developed through extensive testing, if one of them works today, there is no guarantee that it will work the same tomorrow, in which case you can raise the issue with your VPN provider’s customer support team and ask them to recommend the best server to connect to.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
