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 modifications to each the chassis and energy unit that means the pecking order is at present an estimation recreation.
The one factor to go off in the intervening time 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, Purple Bull and Ferrari the seemingly contenders for pole – however may anyone spring a shock, like Brawn from 2009?
Effectively solely time will inform, so right here is all the knowledge you want for the grand prix at Albert Park.
The place can I watch the F1 Australian GP?
F1 is in its regular vacation spot for followers in the UK, with Sky Sports activities coming into its 14th 12 months of broadcasting the championship. It can reside broadcast each session of the 2026 marketing campaign, which implies the motion will also be streamed through the Sky Go app or NOW TV. UK followers can even watch qualifying and race highlights in the identical place: Channel 4.
There’s 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 price roughly $140m yearly, with each session obtainable to Apple TV subscribers.
Choose races are additionally obtainable on the Apple TV app, without spending a dime and the races in Miami, Monaco, Britain, Italy and Austin can even be broadcast reside in IMAX theatres throughout the US. It means F1 TV is now not the standalone streaming service within the US, and Apple additionally struck a take care of Netflix, which entails it broadcasting Season 8 of Drive to Survive whereas the Canadian Grand Prix can even be broadcast on Netflix.
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls leads Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing
Picture by: Andy Hone / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
How can I comply with the F1 Australian GP reside?
Stay protection of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix weekend is out there on Motorsport.com with commentary of each session, beginning with first apply.
F1 Australian GP schedule
Free apply 1
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Australian GP – FP1 |
Free apply 2
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Australian GP – FP2 |
Free apply 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 Follow 1 and a pair of
The opening day of the 2026 F1 marketing campaign is anticipated to be sizzling and dry, with native forecasts suggesting that air temperature shall be round 20C in Melbourne for the beginning of first apply. It’ll be barely cloudy, however with a less-than-5% likelihood 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 apply occurring underneath clear skies at 23C and, once more, comparatively calm winds.
Saturday 7 March: Free Follow 3 and Qualifying
Circumstances ought to be extra overcast for day two of this weekend’s grand prix, however nonetheless with a lower than 5% likelihood 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% likelihood of rain at 21C.
Sunday 8 March: Race
Circumstances in Melbourne ought to be sunny once more for race day, with clear blue skies and a lower than 5% likelihood of rain. It is usually anticipated to be sizzling, round 20C for the beginning of the race, which ought to rise to 23C by the tip with humidity ranges beginning at roughly 58% earlier than dropping to 48%.
F1 2026 grid
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