It appeared like Components 1 was solely away for 5 minutes, as a result of its 2026 marketing campaign begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix to kickstart a brand new period for the championship.
This 12 months will debut a regulation overhaul, arguably the most important in F1 historical past, with adjustments to each the chassis and energy unit which means the pecking order is at the moment an estimation sport.
The one factor to go off for the time being is pre-season type with 9 days of testing throughout Barcelona and Bahrain, which additionally noticed the debut of two new groups: Audi and Cadillac.
Neither are anticipated to be on the sharp finish of the grid although, with McLaren, Mercedes, Crimson Bull and Ferrari the probably contenders for pole – however may anyone spring a shock, like Brawn from 2009?
Nicely solely time will inform, so right here is all the data you want for the grand prix at Albert Park.
The place can I watch the F1 Australian GP?
F1 is in its standard vacation spot for followers in the UK, with Sky Sports activities coming into its 14th 12 months of broadcasting the championship. It can dwell broadcast each session of the 2026 marketing campaign, which implies the motion may also be streamed through the Sky Go app or NOW TV. UK followers also can watch qualifying and race highlights in the identical place: Channel 4.
There may be change in the US, nevertheless, as Apple TV is now F1’s unique broadcast holder, having taken over from ESPN for 2026. The streaming platform has obtained a landmark five-year deal, understood to be value roughly $140m yearly, with each session obtainable to Apple TV subscribers.
Choose races are additionally obtainable on the Apple TV app, totally free and the races in Miami, Monaco, Britain, Italy and Austin may even be broadcast dwell in IMAX theatres throughout the US. It means F1 TV is no longer the standalone streaming service in the US, and Apple also struck a deal with Netflix, which entails it broadcasting Season 8 of Drive to Survive whereas the Canadian Grand Prix may even be broadcast on Netflix.
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls leads Isack Hadjar, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Andy Hone / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
How can I observe the F1 Australian GP dwell?
Stay protection of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix weekend is accessible on Motorsport.com with commentary of each session, beginning with first follow.
F1 Australian GP schedule
Free follow 1
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Australian GP – FP1 |
Free follow 2
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Australian GP – FP2 |
Free follow 3
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Australian GP – FP3 |
Qualifying
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Australian GP – QU |
Race
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Australian GP – RACE |
What’s the climate forecast for the F1 Australian GP?
Friday 6 March: Free Observe 1 and a couple of
The opening day of the 2026 F1 marketing campaign is anticipated to be sizzling and dry, with native forecasts suggesting that air temperature might be round 20C in Melbourne for the beginning of first follow. It’ll be barely cloudy, however with a less-than-5% probability of rain and a relaxed wind pace of 3mph.
It ought to be fairly humid although with ranges at 65%, although that’s anticipated to lower to 46% in time for FP2. That’s as a result of the cloud cowl ought to have cleared by then, with second follow occurring underneath clear skies at 23C and, once more, comparatively calm winds.
Saturday 7 March: Free Observe 3 and Qualifying
Situations ought to be extra overcast for day two of this weekend’s grand prix, however nonetheless with a lower than 5% probability of rain whereas air temperature is at 19C in Melbourne for the beginning of FP3. The wind pace is anticipated to be round 7mph with 65% humidity, dropping to 52% in time for qualifying. Qualifying ought to be cloudy, however nonetheless sizzling and dry with a less-than-5% probability of rain at 21C.
Sunday 8 March: Race
Situations in Melbourne ought to be sunny once more for race day, with clear blue skies and a lower than 5% probability of rain. Additionally it is anticipated to be sizzling, round 20C for the beginning of the race, which ought to rise to 23C by the top with humidity ranges beginning at roughly 58% earlier than dropping to 48%.
F1 2026 grid
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