Independent race review
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Our 2026 Australian Grand Prix Race Review
Published by P1 with Matt & Tommy · March 8, 2026
2026 Formula 1 · Round 1
Australian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule, Times & Results
Formula 1's 2026 season starts with 58 laps around Melbourne's 5.278-kilometre Albert Park circuit. Check every session in your own timezone, then follow how a rapidly improving surface, the long flat-out run toward Turn 9 and the braking fights at Turns 1 and 3 shape the opening weekend.
Round 1
Mar 6–Mar 8, 2026
Completed
Standard weekend
The weekend is complete. Choose a session below to see the full classification and lap details.
Race video & official highlights
Australian Grand Prix 2026 Race Video: Highlights & Review
Play an independent post-race review here, or open Formula 1's official highlights on YouTube. The official race footage cannot be played inside third-party websites.
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Official Formula 1 highlights
Official video ↗
Race Highlights | 2026 Australian Grand Prix
Published by FORMULA 1 · March 7, 2026
The embedded review is independent commentary from P1 with Matt & Tommy. Official Formula 1 highlights open on YouTube because Formula One Management does not permit that footage to play inside this site. Regional availability can still vary.
March 8, 2026
Sun, Mar 8 · 3:00 PM AEDT
Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
Standard weekend
Three practice sessions lead into qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Temporary - Street
Local circuit time uses Australia/Melbourne.
Complete weekend timetable
Australian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule
Session times are shown in your timezone. Switch to track time if you are at the circuit or following local coverage.
FP1
Practice 1
The opening practice session for first setup runs and an early look at track conditions.
StartFri, Mar 6 · 01:30 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-03-06T02:30:00Z
StartFri, Mar 6 · 05:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-03-06T06:00:00Z
StartSat, Mar 7 · 01:30 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-03-07T02:30:00Z
StartSat, Mar 7 · 05:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-03-07T06:00:00Z
StartSun, Mar 8 · 04:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-03-08T06:00:00Z
Weekend results
Australian Grand Prix 2026 Results
See the finishing order, times, laps and driver-by-driver classification for every completed session.
March 6, 2026
Practice 1 results
- P1Charles LeclercFerrari
- P2Lewis HamiltonFerrari
- P3Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing
Practice 2 results
- P1Oscar PiastriMcLaren
- P2Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedes
- P3George RussellMercedes
Practice 3 results
- P1George RussellMercedes
- P2Lewis HamiltonFerrari
- P3Charles LeclercFerrari
Qualifying results
- P1George RussellMercedes
- P2Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedes
- P3Isack HadjarRed Bull
Race results
- P1George RussellMercedes
- P2Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedes
- P3Charles LeclercFerrari
What to Know About the Australian Grand Prix 2026
A park circuit that now carries speed for more than 1.3 kilometres
Albert Park combines everyday park roads with purpose-built sections, so it feels more open than a wall-lined street track without behaving like a permanent circuit. The revised route lets drivers stay flat from Turn 8 toward the very fast Turn 9, while a widened Turn 1 gives the field more than one workable line at the start.
- Turn 1 is the first planned attack; Turn 3 catches drivers who over-commit after the next acceleration zone.
- The Turn 9-10 change of direction shows which cars give their drivers confidence at high speed.
The stopwatch moves as Albert Park rubbers in
Because the venue is temporary, Friday begins with less grip than teams will find later in the weekend. Fans should compare repeat laps, not just the headline fastest time: a car that protects its tyres and keeps a responsive front end as grip rises is better prepared for the 306.124-kilometre race.
- A late qualifying run can gain from a cleaner, faster surface, provided traffic does not spoil it.
- Safety Cars remain a live strategic threat because fast corners still sit beside grass, gravel and barriers.
Pick the right gate before you start walking around the lake
Albert Park is a broad event precinct rather than one compact grandstand block. Match your ticket to the official visitor map, use the entrance nearest your seat and leave room in the day for support races and fan areas; crossing the site after track action has begun can take longer than the map suggests.
- Public transport avoids trying to park beside a major city event and usually delivers fans close to designated gates.
- Pack for both strong sun and a quick shower: Melbourne conditions can change between sessions.
Watch and save the Australian Grand Prix schedule
Find legal TV coverage for your country or add every session to your calendar.
Official event name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
Plan with confidence
Official Australian Grand Prix 2026 Information
Race times and results on this page are paired with official championship and event-organiser information. Always recheck the organiser before travelling because gates, transport and event activities can change.
Official source
Formula 1 — Australia 2026
Official schedule, results, circuit length, lap count and track description
Open official information ↗Official sourceAustralian Grand Prix — 2026 Track Guide
Official corner guide and revised-layout details
Open official information ↗Official sourceTechRadar — Australian GP 2026 guide
Independent schedule, timezone, viewing and preview pattern review
Open official information ↗
Quick answers
Australian Grand Prix 2026 FAQ
How long is the 2026 Australian Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled for 58 laps of the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park circuit, a total distance of 306.124 kilometres.
Where should fans watch for overtakes at Albert Park?
Turn 1 is the clearest first-lap and restart opportunity, while Turn 3 rewards a strong run out of the opening complex and confident late braking.
When is the Australian Grand Prix 2026?
The race weekend runs Mar 6–Mar 8, 2026. The Grand Prix is scheduled for Sun, Mar 8 · 3:00 PM AEDT.
What time does the Australian Grand Prix start?
The race starts at Sun, Mar 8 · 3:00 PM AEDT. Use the timezone controls above for US Eastern, Central, Pacific, UK or track time.
Is the Australian Grand Prix a Sprint weekend?
No. It follows the standard FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying and race format.
Where can I find the Australian Grand Prix results?
Completed session results are linked in the schedule and results sections above, including the full classification for each available session.