What makes the Australian Grand Prix special – and why you should see it

The Australian Grand Prix has been a key fixture on the Formula 1 calendar for almost four decades, frequently kicking off the season and setting the stage for fierce rivalries and championship battles to come.

First held in Adelade in 1985, before moving to Melbourne from 1996, the event has produced many unforgettable moments over the years – from debut victories to multi-red-flag dramas.

The event continues to be special, and the 2026 edition (the 40th Australian Grand Prix) will see Melbourne host the first race of a brand-new era in Formula 1 on March 8.

A highly anticipated season opener

There’s nothing quite like kicking off an F1 season with a trip Down Under. After weeks of winter testing, Australia signals the moment the guesswork ends and the excitement begins. No more debates about hidden pace and sandbagging – this is where the true competitive order starts to reveal itself for the first time.

Even more than that, Australia means the off-season is truly over and racing is finally back! The five red lights will go out, and the new 22-driver grid will charge towards Turn 1.

And there’s so much to see. New cars, new colours, new rules. Audi and Cadillac enter the sport, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez back on the grid, while there’s a new driver in Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad – set to start the first F1 race of his career. Who will have adapted best to the new regulations? It’s already shaping up to be a race weekend with plenty to keep an eye on beyond the battle for the podium spots.

When is the 2026 Australian Grand Prix?

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday, 6 March with the F1 cars on track for Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, 7 March. The Grand Prix itself takes place on Sunday, 8 March at 1500 local time.

Check out the RACE HUB to see when each F1 session starts in your local time zone, wherever you are in the world.

What's so great about Albert Park Circuit?

Albert Park knows a thing or two about action and adventure, home to outstanding sports facilities and sporting events, with green spaces and city skyline views. When F1 rolls into town, the lakeside park and accompanying public roads are transformed into a fast, flowing temporary circuit with incredible atmosphere.

The 5.278km track evolves with every session, and drivers need to adapt but remain committed. The lap has fast straights, sweeping corners, rapid changes of direction and heavy braking zones that invite overtaking.

Melbourne’s changeable weather can also play a role, adding tension to strategy and tyre choice. The circuit rewards confidence and the racing delivers plenty of drama.

The weekend schedule is full of action and there's plenty to look forward to, with F1 practice, Qualifying and the Grand Prix supported by other categories – including Formula 2 and Formula 3. That means plenty of track running and multiple chances to see cars at full speed.

Away from the racing line, the event feels open and welcoming. Many grandstands sit close to the action, while general admission areas offer views through the high-speed sections and across the lake.

There’s fantastic live entertainment around the lakeside, the new Oscar Piastri stand, and a stacked F1 Fanzone too – plus the traditional ‘Melbourne Walk’ is a uniquely open way to try and meet the drivers as they enter the paddock.

The Australian Grand Prix always brings fresh storylines early in the season, with Melbourne delivering everything people love about Formula 1: speed, skill, and spectacle. Albert Park has seen legendary moments, shock wins and season openers that set the tone for the year.

Memorable moments in Melbourne

Melbourne has served up some magical moments throughout the years since first hosting an F1 weekend in 1996.

We couldn’t possibly list them all, but here’s a selection to whet your appetite for more…

1996: Martin Brundle’s Jordan flipped at Turn 3 on Lap 1; he climbed out, sprinted to the pits and restarted the race in the spare car. Damon Hill later won after Jacques Villeneuve slowed with an oil issue after leading for much of the race.

2002: The season opened with a dramatic Turn 1 pile‑up that eliminated multiple cars when Ralf Schumacher’s Williams launched over Rubens Barrichello’s Ferrari. Michael Schumacher won on the day, though home debutant Mark Webber taking fifth for Minardi had the Australian crowd roaring.

2009: Brawn GP stunned the sport with an incredible 1-2 finish at their first F1 event. Jenson Button converted pole into victory with team mate Barrichello fighting back to take second – a result that set the tone for their remarkable title‑winning year.

2014: Local hero Daniel Ricciardo finished in an emotional second place on his Red Bull debut, but was then disqualified for exceeding fuel‑flow limits.

2016: Fernando Alonso walked away from a high‑speed crash that saw his McLaren barrel roll through the air after contact with Esteban Gutierrez’s Haas.

2017: Sebastian Vettel beat Lewis Hamilton with a strategically well‑timed stop and clean air, delivering Ferrari’s first win since 2015 and re‑igniting a classic rivalry.

2023: Three red flags, a late standing restart and a Safety Car finish saw Max Verstappen take victory ahead of Hamilton and Alonso at a race in which hometown hero Piastri made his F1 debut.

2025: Lando Norris won the season-opener from pole despite a late-race downpour in a dramatic Grand Prix with mixed weather conditions that saw multiple crashes.

How can I watch the Australian Grand Prix?

Nothing beats being there! Head to F1 Tickets to secure your place and catch all the action. F1 Experiences has a great range of premium ticket packages too, getting you closer to Formula 1 than ever before.

For details of the broadcaster in your area, click here.

You can also watch the drama unfold via F1 TV Pro (in selected countries only).