Method 1’s 2026 season begins this weekend on the Australian Grand Prix, opening a brand new period for the championship following a serious overhaul of each chassis and energy unit laws.
After 9 days of pre-season testing throughout Barcelona and Bahrain, groups arrive at Melbourne’s Albert Park with solely restricted information on the aggressive order. Early indications recommend McLaren, Mercedes, Purple Bull Racing and Ferrari might once more be among the many frontrunners, though the brand new guidelines depart loads of scope for surprises.
The 2026 season additionally sees the arrival of two new groups, Audi and Cadillac, each making their race weekend debuts in Australia.
Monitor motion begins on Friday in Australia, with the primary two apply periods giving groups their first alternative to judge the brand new 2026 vehicles in race-weekend circumstances.
Right here is every part it is advisable to know forward of Friday apply in Melbourne.
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How can I watch the F1 Australian GP?
Broadcast protection of Method 1 varies by area, with some adjustments for 2026. In the UK, Sky Sports activities continues because the championship’s unique broadcaster, exhibiting each session stay all through the 2026 season. Protection will also be streamed by way of Sky Go or NOW.
In the USA, Apple TV has taken over as Method 1’s major broadcast accomplice for 2026, with all periods obtainable on the platform following a brand new multi-year deal. F1 TV stays because the collection’ international subscription streaming service.
Motorsport.com will present stay textual content commentary of each session, starting with Free Apply 1.
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F1 Australian GP schedule
Free Apply 1
Occasion
Date
12:30 Â
Australian GP – FP1
Free Apply 2
Occasion
Date
16:00 Â
Australian GP – FP2
Free Apply 3
Occasion
Date
12:30 Â
Australian GP – FP3
Qualifying
Occasion
Date
16:00 Â
Australian GP – QU
Race
Occasion
Date
15:00 Â
Australian GP – RACE
What’s the climate forecast for F1 Australian GP Friday apply?
Friday 6 March: Free Apply 1 and a couple of
Situations for the opening day of the 2026 Method 1 season are anticipated to be heat and dry in Melbourne.
For Free Apply 1, temperatures are forecast to be round 20C with partial cloud cowl and solely a minimal probability of rain (lower than 5%). Winds ought to stay mild at roughly 3mph, with humidity close to 65% earlier than dropping as vehicles are scheduled to hit the observe.
By the point Free Apply 2 begins later within the night, skies are anticipated to clear with temperatures rising to roughly 23C. Humidity ought to drop to round 46%, whereas winds stay calm.
These secure circumstances ought to present groups with constant observe working as they start their preparations for the opening race of the 2026 season.
All F1 2026 Groups and Drivers
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