The Australian Grand Prix, Formulation 1’s first race of 2026, is predicted to be one of many most-watched F1 races in current reminiscence.
New guidelines, new automobiles, new groups, new drivers: this isn’t an occasion to overlook and can set the stage for the remaining 23 races this yr. For the primary time in a decade, a bigger grid of twenty-two automobiles will contest the Australian GP.
Commercial
Right here is all the things you could know forward of the Australian Grand Prix.
F1 Australian GP beginning grid
After qualifying, rivals have been left reeling as Mercedes lastly unleashed its true tempo, with claiming pole place with a 1m18.518 lap, and simply behind on a 1m18.811. A career-best qualifying results of third for salvages one thing for Purple Bull, after ended within the obstacles on his first flying lap of Q1.
Commercial
The acute rear locking that caught out the four-time world champion confirmed the troublesome traits of the 2026 automobiles, with a number of drivers having points, notably Audi’s who certified inside the highest 10 however was pressured to desert his automotive and Q3 try when he stopped on pit entry on the finish of Q2.
When is the F1 Australian GP?Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Date: Sunday 8 March Begin time: 4am GMT/3pm native time Your time
Mar 08 15:00
RACE
Mar 08 15:00
The 2026 F1 season opener, the Australian GP, begins at 4 AM GMT, 3 PM native time, 11 PM EST and eight PM PST on Sunday 8 March.
Commercial
How can I watch the F1 Australian GP?
There are some adjustments to know of for the 2026 season. Broadcast protection of Formulation 1 varies by area, with new decisions within the US.
In the UK, Sky Sports activities continues because the championship’s unique broadcaster, displaying each session dwell all through the season. Protection can be streamed through Sky Go or NOW, and highlights can be broadcast free-to-air on Channel 4.
In the USA, Apple TV has taken over as Formulation 1’s major broadcast associate for 2026, with all periods obtainable on the platform following a brand new multi-year deal. F1 TV stays the sequence’ international subscription streaming service.
Commercial
Motorsport.com will present dwell textual content commentary of each session, together with qualifying.
How can I hearken to the F1 Australian GP on the radio?
By the whole 2026 Formulation 1 season, races, qualifying, and pre- and post-show commentary is obtainable on BBC Radio 5 at no cost.
On Satellite tv for pc radio, SiriusXM has dwell protection of each 2026 race, broadcasting the dwell BBC radio feed on satellite tv for pc channels 160/205.
What’s the climate forecast for Australian GP qualifying?
Sunday 8 March: Race
For the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, circumstances in Melbourne are anticipated to be sunny, heat and dry.
Commercial
A mixture of solar and clouds is forecasted, with temperatures round 23C, and no likelihood of rain. The wind is predicted to be 15 km/h, with gusts of as much as 25 km/h.
For followers, groups, and drivers, these are as near splendid circumstances as attainable for the opening race of the 2026 Formulation 1 season.
Photographs from Australian GP – SaturdayGeorge Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Joe Portlock / Getty Photos
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Followers
Followers
Quinn Rooney / Getty Photos
Commercial
Guenther Steiner
Guenther Steiner
Kym Illman / Getty Photos
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Alexandra Leclerc, spouse of Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari, walks within the paddock with mannequin and girlfriend of Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams, Rebecca Donldsonduring
Alexandra Leclerc, spouse of Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari, walks within the paddock with mannequin and girlfriend of Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams, Rebecca Donldsonduring
Kym Illman / Getty Photos
Alexander Albon, Williams, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Jayce Illman / Getty Photos
Commercial
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Jackie Stewart
Jackie Stewart
Jayce Illman / Getty Photos
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Quinn Rooney / Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photos
Flavio Briatore, Alpine, Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Staff
Flavio Briatore, Alpine, Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Staff
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Commercial
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Followers of George Russell, Mercedes
Followers of George Russell, Mercedes
Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Carmen Larbalestier
Carmen Larbalestier
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Commercial
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto through Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Steven Tee / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto through Getty Photos
Commercial
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Steven Tee / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mario Renzi / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Quinn Rooney / Getty Photos
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Joe Portlock / Getty Photos
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Commercial
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes crash
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes crash
Paul Crock / AFP through Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Automobile of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes after his crash
Automobile of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes after his crash
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto through Getty Photos
Commercial
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Commercial
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Joe Portlock / Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Anni Graf – Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Paul Crock / AFP through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Paul Crock / AFP through Getty Photos
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing crash
Paul Crock / AFP through Getty Photos
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Alastair Staley / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Commercial
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Steven Tee / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Martin Hold / AFP through Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Joe Portlock / Getty Photos
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Joe Portlock / Getty Photos
George Russell, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
George Russell, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
William West / AFP through Getty Photos
Commercial
Learn Additionally:
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles .
