F1 2026 Australian GP schedule: Race start time and TV coverage

[ASFN Admin]

A brand new era of Formula 1 begins this weekend with the traditional season-opener - the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Lando Norris is riding high, having claimed his first F1 world championship last season, pipping four-time champion Max Verstappen by two points in a tense season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Yet with new engine and chassis regulations, and a new team in Cadillac, McLaren are not the frontrunners ahead of the new campaign. Instead, Mercedes’s engine prowess puts them top of the list, with British driver George Russell the favourite with the bookies.

And what about Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton? The seven-time world champion endured a terrible debut year at the Scuderia, failing even to register a podium. However, the 41-year-old and teammate Charles Leclerc looked strong in pre-season testing and are right in contention this weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know about the season-opener.

When is the Australian Grand Prix? ​

All times GMT

Friday 6 March

• Free practice 2: 5am

Saturday 7 March

• Free practice 3: 1:30am
• Qualifying: 5am

Sunday 8 March

• Race: 4am

How can I watch it online and on TV?​

The Australian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 2:30am (GMT).

Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Melbourne on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Australian Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.

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Lewis Hamilton is eyeing a better 2026 after a tough debut campaign with Ferrari (Getty Images)

What is the driver line-up for 2026? ​

McLAREN

Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri

FERRARI

Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton

RED BULL

Max Verstappen

Isack Hadjar

MERCEDES

George Russell

Kimi Antonelli

ASTON MARTIN

Fernando Alonso

Lance Stroll

ALPINE

Pierre Gasly

Franco Colapinto

HAAS

Esteban Ocon

Ollie Bearman

RACING BULLS

Liam Lawson

Arvid Lindblad

WILLIAMS

Alex Albon

Carlos Sainz

SAUBER

Nico Hulkenberg

Gabriel Bortoleto

CADILLAC (New Team)

Sergio Perez

Valtteri Bottas

NOTE: italics represent new seat

What is the 2026 race calendar? ​

ROUND 1 - AUSTRALIA​

Albert Park, Melbourne - 6-8 March

ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend)​

Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March

ROUND 3 - JAPAN​

Suzuka International Racing Course - 27-29 March

ROUND 4 - BAHRAIN​

Bahrain International Circuit - 10-12 April

ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA​

Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 17-19 April

ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend)​

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 1-3 May

ROUND 7 - CANADA (sprint weekend) ​

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 22-24 May

ROUND 8 - MONACO​

Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June

ROUND 9 - SPAIN (Barcelona)​

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June

ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA​

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June

ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend) ​

Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July

ROUND 12 - BELGIUM​

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July

ROUND 13 - HUNGARY​

Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July

ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)​

Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August

ROUND 15 - ITALY​

Monza Circuit - 4-6 September

ROUND 16 - SPAIN (Madrid)​

Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September

ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN​

Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September

ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)​

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October

ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES​

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October

ROUND 20 - MEXICO​

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November

ROUND 21 - BRAZIL​

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November

ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS​

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November

ROUND 23 - QATAR​

Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November

ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI ​

Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December

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