New Start for F1: What to Know About the 2026 Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne, AustraliaTue Mar 03 2026
The 2026 Formula One season kicks off in Melbourne, sparking excitement as teams test new rules that will reshape the sport.
These changes hit both cars and engines, making early predictions tricky; only a handful of test days in Barcelona and Bahrain give us clues.
Audi and Cadillac joined the grid, but they are not expected to challenge for top spots right away.
Traditional powerhouses—McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari—look poised for pole positions, though surprises like Brawn’s 2009 season could still happen.
In the UK, Sky Sports will broadcast every session for the second time around a decade after starting.
Fans can stream via Sky Go or NOW TV, and Channel 4 offers highlights of qualifying and the race.
Across the Atlantic, Apple TV has taken over from ESPN for all races in 2026, signing a five‑year deal worth about $140 million per year.
Apple TV will stream every session, and some events—including Miami, Monaco, Britain, Italy and Austin—will also show live in US IMAX theatres.
Apple’s partnership with Netflix will bring Season 8 of “Drive to Survive” and the Canadian Grand Prix to the streaming platform.
If you want live commentary, Motorsport. com covers every session from practice through race.
The weekend’s schedule runs as follows: three free‑practice sessions, a qualifying session, and the race itself.
Each event’s start time is listed in both local Melbourne time and your own timezone for easy planning.
Weather forecasts predict a hot, dry opening day on Friday with temperatures around 20 °C and minimal rain chances.
Saturday’s sessions should be cloudier but still dry, with temperatures hovering near 19–21 °C.
Sunday’s race day is expected to be sunny, with a slight rise in temperature from 20 °C at the start to about 23 °C by finish.
Wind speeds will remain calm, and humidity levels should stay moderate throughout the weekend.
