The 2026 Formula 1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix. After Bahrain opened the season for several years, the race in Melbourne will once again serve as the season opener for the second year in a row.

For many years, the race weekend in Melbourne was defined by tens of thousands of fans cheering for Daniel Ricciardo, but this season they will have to do without him. However, McLaren has another Australian driver in Oscar Piastri, meaning the young driver is likely to receive plenty of support from the home crowd.

The Albert Park Street Circuit — located in a public park and only used for several racing events each year — took over from the Adelaide Street Circuit in 1996. With its many corners and semi-street circuit character, overtaking is a major challenge. Despite that, the track has produced several memorable races over the years.

The first press conferences in Melbourne are scheduled for March 5. The drivers will take to the track on March 6 for the first two free practice sessions. Qualifying will take place on March 7, with the Australian Grand Prix itself held on March 8.

The Australian Grand Prix can be followed live in GPblog’s live blog starting one hour before the race. Like all other Grands Prix, the race will be broadcast live on Viaplay and F1TV Pro, along with qualifying and the practice sessions.

Free Practice 1: Friday 6 March 01:30 – 02:30

Free Practice 2: Friday 6 March 05:00 – 06:00

Free Practice 3: Saturday 7 March 01:30 – 02:30

Qualifying: Saturday 7 March 05:00 – 06:00

Race: Sunday 8 March 04:00 – 06:00

After the season opener in Australia, Formula 1 remains on the eastern side of the globe for a while. The Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix follow the race in Melbourne, before the championship moves on to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It is not until May that Formula 1 leaves Oceania and Asia, when the Miami Grand Prix takes place.

In 2026, Formula 1 will once again be broadcast in the Netherlands by Viaplay. All F1 sessions throughout the weekend can be watched on the streaming platform. Viaplay also provides pre-race and post-race analysis for both qualifying and the race, along with several Formula 1 programmes.

Another option to follow Formula 1 live is F1TV Pro, Formula 1’s official streaming service. F1TV Pro broadcasts all sessions from Australia in the early morning. Viewers can choose whether to watch with English commentary or Dutch commentary.

Russell converted his sensational pole position into victory on Sunday, claiming the opening race of the 2026 season and the sixth win of his Formula 1 career. The Mercedes driver controlled the decisive phases of the race and ultimately brought the car home with a comfortable margin. The start, however, immediately reshuffled the order. While both Mercedes struggled to get away cleanly, Ferrari reacted sharply as the lights went out. Leclerc surged into the lead, with Hamilton also making ground in the opening metres to move ahead of Antonelli.

The early stages were defined by a lively fight at the front, as George Russell remained within striking distance and repeatedly tried to challenge the Ferrari driver. Leclerc held firm for several laps, producing a series of well-timed defensive moves as the pair traded positions and kept the battle for the lead wide open.

The decisive moment arrived on lap 11, when Isack Hadjar was forced to retire with a technical issue, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Mercedes reacted instantly by bringing both cars into the pits, executing a double stop that proved crucial, while Ferrari opted to leave its drivers out on track – a strategy that ultimately backfired.

Behind the leading pack, Lando Norris salvaged what he could from a difficult afternoon for McLaren. The reigning world champion finished fifth after a race in which the team had already suffered an early blow, with Piastri retiring before the start and the MCL40 lacking the pace to challenge at the front. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, delivered one of the standout drives of the race. Starting from the back of the grid, the Dutchman carved his way through the field to finish sixth, just behind Norris after gaining fourteen positions over the course of the race.

As mentioned earlier, Russell was the first to take the chequered flag, finishing three seconds ahead of his teammate and fifteen clear of Leclerc, who completed the podium. Just behind him came Hamilton, who delivered a strong closing stint and came close to getting the better of his teammate in the final laps.

Fifth place went to reigning world champion Norris, although he finished nearly fifty seconds adrift. Verstappen crossed the line in sixth, 54 seconds behind the winner after climbing through the field from twentieth on the grid, also ending the race as the last driver on the lead lap.

It was also an impressive afternoon for Bearman, who brought Haas home in seventh, while Lindblad finished eighth on his Formula 1 debut. Bortoleto secured Audi’s first points in ninth, with Gasly rounding out the top ten to put Alpine on the scoreboard.