When Does The 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix Begin? Full Race Times & How to Watch

Getty

Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes prior to lead the field away for the start prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.

It’s lights out and away we go! The 2026 F1 World Championship Season is kicking off with the first Grand Prix of the race calendar – the Australian GP starting the first week of March.

If you’re looking for a full schedule of all 24 F1 Grand Prix races in 2026, those are available from Heavy on Formula 1 here.

All of the details you’ll need for knowing how to watch, the full schedule of televised practice sessions, and the official start time for the Australian GP – the first F1 race of 2026 – can be found below.

Basic Details to Know About the 2026 Australian GP

GettyDrivers take the start during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 16, 2025.

Officially, the name of the GP is Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026 and it will be held at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. According to F1, the Albert Park Circuit can be frequently slippery and very bumpy, which are conditions that were seen during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.

Some circuit and previous Australian GP stats include:

• Circuit Length: 5.278 km
• Number of Laps: 58
• Race Distance: 306.124 km
• Fastest Lap Time: 1:19:813 by Charles Leclerc in 2024
• First Australian GP: 1996

Full Schedule of Practice Sessions, Qualifying & Race Start for F1 Australian Grand Prix

GettyLando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.

Practice Session 1 

• Date: March 5, 2026 (US Viewers), March 6, 2026 (Local AUS Time)
• Local Time: 12:30-1:30 PM (March 6, 2026)
• Time for US Viewers: 8:30-9:30 PM ET / 5:30-6:30 PM PT (March 5)

Practice Session 2 

• Date: March 6, 2026
• Local Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
• Time for US Viewers: 12midnight-1:00 AM ET / 9:00PM-12midnight PT (March 5, 2026 for West Coast PT viewers)

Practice Session 3

• Date: March 6, 2026 (US Viewers), March 7, 2026 (Local AUS Time)
• Local Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
• Time for US Viewers: 8:30-9:30 PM ET / 5:30-6:30 PM PT (March 6)

Qualifying

• Date: March 7, 2026
• Local Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
• Time for US Viewers: 12midnight-1:00 AM ET / 9:00PM-12midnight PT (March 6, 2026 for West Coast PT viewers)

Race Start – 2026 F1 Australia Grand Prix

• Date: March 7, 2026 (US Viewers), March 8, 2026 (Local AUS Time)
• Local Time: 3:00 PM
• Time for US Viewers: 11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT

How to Watch The 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix

GettyLando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.

For US-based viewers, Apple TV is introducing a brand new dedicated F1 Channel for the 2026 F1 Grand Prix Season. The official Formula 1 website will also have streaming options of all GPs in 2026.

There are several ways that fans can tune into the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. These include:

• F1 TV & F1 TV Pro (requires subscription)
• Apple TV with new integrated F1 TV Premium  (requires subscription, new users can sign up for a 7 day free trial)
• Sky Sports & Sky Sports on Channel 4 (UK & Ireland)
• FOX Sports Australia (Local Australia Broadcast)