2026 Australian Grand Prix: Schedule, Predictions, and What to Expect
The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off with the highly anticipated Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, from Friday, March 6th. Following a dramatic 2025 race where Lando Norris narrowly defeated Max Verstappen in wet conditions, all eyes are on whether Verstappen can secure a victory this year, amidst changes to car designs and Red Bull’s engine development.
Race Weekend Schedule
Here’s a detailed look at the schedule for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, with times listed in Dutch time:
- Friday, March 6th:
- First Free Practice: 2:30 AM
- Second Free Practice: 6:00 AM
- Saturday, March 7th:
- Third Free Practice: 2:30 AM
- Qualifying: 6:00 AM
- Sunday, March 8th:
- Australian Grand Prix Race Start: 5:00 AM
Looking Back at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was a thrilling start to the season, marked by challenging mixed weather conditions, multiple crashes, and Safety Car deployments. Lando Norris of McLaren secured a hard-fought victory, capitalizing on a late-race downpour that shuffled the order. Read the full race report here.
Max Verstappen finished a close second, with George Russell rounding out the podium in third. The race also saw challenges for several drivers, including Oscar Piastri, who spun off track in the wet conditions, and a number of rookies experiencing difficulties. More details on the 2025 race can be found here.
What to Expect in 2026
With recent cars and engine developments, the 2026 Australian Grand Prix promises to be another exciting event. The unpredictable weather conditions at Albert Park often add an extra layer of challenge, and strategic tire choices will be crucial. All eyes will be on Max Verstappen to see if he can overcome the challenges and claim victory.
The race also marks the start of the season for several rookies, and their performance will be closely watched. The 2026 season is set to be competitive, and the Australian Grand Prix will provide an early indication of the pecking order.
2025 Race Results
Here are the top five finishers from the 2025 Australian Grand Prix:
- Lando Norris (NOR) – 1:42:06.304
- Max Verstappen (VER) – +0.895s
- George Russell (RUS) – +8.481s
- Kimi Antonelli (ANT) – +10.135s
- Alexander Albon (ALB) – +12.773s
View the complete standings here.