Melbourne gears up as full 2026 Australian GP schedule goes official

The first official free practice session of the 2026 Formula 1 season will get under way in the European night at 02:30 CET (12:30 local time in Melbourne). Formula 3 qualifying will follow at 04:00 CET (14:00 local), with Formula 2 qualifying at 04:55 CET (14:55 local). The day’s running will be rounded off by F1’s second free practice session at 06:00 CET (16:00 local).

Saturday’s action begins at 01:15 CET (11:15 local) with the Formula 3 Sprint Race, followed by F1 FP3 at 02:30 CET (12:30 local). The Formula 2 Sprint Race is scheduled for 04:10 CET (14:10 local), before the first F1 qualifying session of the season gets under way at 06:00 CET (16:00 local). Later in the day, the Formula 3 Feature Race will take place at 22:50 CET (08:50 Sunday local).

Race day on Sunday opens with the Formula 2 Feature Race at 01:25 CET (11:25 local), followed by the F1 drivers’ parade at 03:00 CET (13:00 local). The lights for the first Grand Prix of the season will go out at 05:00 CET (15:00 local).

As previously mentioned, the opening round of the season will be held a week earlier than last year, with Melbourne once again staging the curtain-raiser, while Abu Dhabi will — in keeping with tradition — host the championship finale.

The 2026 campaign will once again consist of 24 Grands Prix, alongside six sprint events, bringing the total to 30 races spread across March and December and creating one of the most action-packed calendars the sport has seen.