Zandvoort runs on Central European Summer Time, which sits three and a half hours behind India. Here’s every 2026 Dutch Grand Prix session converted to IST.
## Friday, August 21
– Free Practice: 12:30 PM local / 4:00 PM IST
– Sprint Qualifying: 4:30 PM local / 8:00 PM IST
## Saturday, August 22
– Sprint Race: 12:00 PM local / 3:30 PM IST
– Grand Prix Qualifying: 4:00 PM local / 7:30 PM IST
## Sunday, August 23
– Dutch Grand Prix (72 laps): 3:00 PM local / 6:30 PM IST
## Why the sprint format changes your weekend plan
Unlike a traditional race weekend with three practice sessions, this Sprint weekend gives drivers just one practice session before Sprint Qualifying sets the grid for Saturday’s shorter race. That means Friday evening in India becomes essential viewing rather than an optional warm-up session, full context in our [race weekend guide](dutch-gp-2026-race-weekend-guide).
## Streaming and TV
For channel numbers and app details to catch every session live in India, see our dedicated [how to watch guide](dutch-gp-2026-how-to-watch-in-india).
## What’s at stake
Kimi Antonelli heads into the weekend with a 50-point championship lead over Lewis Hamilton, while Max Verstappen will be chasing his first win of the season on home soil in what may be the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future. Our [drivers to watch](dutch-gp-2026-drivers-to-watch) piece breaks down who’s best placed to capitalise across this compressed schedule.
Set reminders for Friday evening onward, with only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying, missing the opening hours means missing crucial grid-setting action.