What channel is Formula 1 on today? TV schedule, start time for 2021 French Grand Prix

This weekend is about the race, more than a race.

While Circuit Paul Ricard isn't the most attractive or exciting track, the most exciting race will be the one for the top of the table in the driver's championship this year.

Currently, Max Verstappen (107 points) leads Lewis Hamilton (104 points) as the Red Bull and Mercedes drivers duel for racer supremacy entering Round 7 of the 2021 F1 season.

MORE: Watch Formula 1 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

An incredibly entertaining Azerbaijan GP resulted in Verstappen crashing out (thanks to poor tires), leaving the door wide open for Hamilton to take charge. Hamilton, though, would lock up due to driver error on the restart of the race — on the last lap — leading to Sergio Perez taking control of the race and Red Bull taking hold of the constructor's title.

There's lots on the line entering the first race of a triple-header.

Here's what you need to know about this week's F1 race:

What channel is the F1 race on today?

• Race: French Grand Prix
• Date: Sunday, June 20
• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream: WatchESPN, fuboTV

The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2021 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports' feed, with a few races heading to ABC later in the season.

In addition, ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2021 F1 races in the U.S.

What time does the F1 race start today?

• Date: Sunday, June 20
• Start time: 9 a.m. ET

The 9 a.m. ET start time for Sunday's race means the 2021 French Grand Prix will start at 3:00 p.m. local time. The on-the-hour start time means lights out will likely take place just after 9 a.m. ESPN's pre-race show usually airs in the hour prior to the start of the race.

Below is the complete TV schedule for the weekend's F1 events at the French Grand Prix. All times are Eastern.

Formula 1 live stream for Monaco Grand Prix

For those who don't have a cable or satellite subscription, there are four major OTT TV streaming options that carry ESPN — fuboTV, Sling, Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. Of the four, Hulu and YouTubeTV offer free trial options.

Below are links to each.

• fuboTV (free trial)
• Sling
• Hulu (free trial)
• YouTubeTV (free trial)
• AT&T Now

For those who do have a cable or satellite subscription but are not in front of a TV, Formula 1 races in 2021 can be streamed live via phones, tablets and other devices on the ESPN app with authentication.

Formula 1 schedule 2021

In all, there are 23 scheduled races in the 2021 F1 season, with the Portuguese Grand Prix the last race added, sliding onto the docket the first week in March. The originally scheduled Vietnam Grand Prix was removed after the arrest of  Nguyen Duc Chung, while the Chinese Grand Prix is currently up in the air. It was originally scheduled for April 11, but will likely not take place this season.

All races will be broadcast on the U.S. side on the ESPN family of networks, with the United States Grand Prix and Mexico City Grand Prix both airing on ABC. The Singapore Grand Prix was also removed from the schedule, but FIA plans to replace it.

Please note: The on-the-hour start times do not include the broadcast start time, which is typically five minutes before the start of the race. Times do not include ESPN's customary pre-race shows.

MORE: Live stream F1 races all season on fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Here's the latest schedule: