Australian Grand Prix – Formula 1 2026
Your complete guide to the Australian GP: race schedule, results, circuit info, and F1 history
About the Australian Grand Prix
The Australian Grand Prix traditionally serves as the opening round of the Formula 1 World Championship and is held at the Albert Park Street Circuit in Melbourne. Set around the scenic Albert Park Lake, the semi permanent circuit combines public roads with purpose built sections, creating a fast and flowing layout that rewards precision and bravery. First joining the F1 calendar in 1985 in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne in 1996, the event has become one of the sport’s most popular races, known for its vibrant atmosphere, large crowds, and unpredictable early season conditions.
Australian GP 2026 Schedule
| Session | Your Time | Local Time (Melbourne) |
|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 06 Mar, 12:30 – 13:30 (UTC+11) | |
| Practice 2 | 06 Mar, 16:00 – 17:00 (UTC+11) | |
| Practice 3 | 07 Mar, 12:30 – 13:30 (UTC+11) | |
| Qualifying | 07 Mar, 16:00 – 17:00 (UTC+11) | |
| Race | 08 Mar, 15:00 (UTC+11) |
Latest Australian GP News
Vettel names 2026 world champion: Who did the F1 legend pick?
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PODCAST: Will Verstappen regret not taking Mercedes gamble?
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George Russell makes questionable claim about fan enjoyment of 2026 Australian GP
Australian Grand Prix Fast Facts
| First held (in current format) | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | Albert Park |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Number of laps | 58 |
| Circuit length | 5.278 km |
| Race distance | 306.124 km |
| Lap record (race) | 1:19.813 – Charles Leclerc (2024) |
| Most wins (driver) | Michael Schumacher – 4 |
| Top speed | ≈ 330 km/h (205 mph) |
Australian GP Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2024 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2022 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2021 | Cancelled | — |
| 2020 | Cancelled | — |
| 2019 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari |
| 2017 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari |
| 2016 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2014 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes |
| 2013 | Kimi Raikkonen | Lotus |
| 2012 | Jenson Button | McLaren |
| 2011 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull |
| 2010 | Jenson Button | McLaren |
| 2009 | Jenson Button | Brawn GP |
| 2008 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren |
| 2007 | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari |
| 2006 | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| 2005 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2003 | David Coulthard | McLaren |
| 2002 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2001 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2000 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 1999 | Eddie Irvine | Ferrari |
| 1998 | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren |
| 1997 | David Coulthard | McLaren |
| 1996 | Damon Hill | Williams |
| 1995 | Damon Hill | Williams |
| 1994 | Michael Schumacher | Benetton |
| 1993 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren |
| 1992 | Gerhard Berger | McLaren |
| 1991 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren |
| 1990 | Nelson Piquet | Benetton |
| 1989 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren |
| 1988 | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| 1987 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari |
| 1986 | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| 1985 | Keke Rosberg | Williams |
Australian GP FAQs
When is the Australian GP 2026?
The Australian Grand Prix runs from 6 to 8 March 2026 at Albert Park in Melbourne. See the schedule above for exact times in your local timezone and track time.
How many laps is the Australian GP?
The Australian GP is contested over 58 laps around the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.
What is the length of the Australian F1 track?
The circuit length at Albert Park is 5.278 km per lap.
Who holds the Australian GP lap record?
The race lap record at Albert Park is 1:19.813, set by Charles Leclerc in 2024.
Which driver has most Australian GP wins?
Michael Schumacher holds the record with four Australian Grand Prix victories.
What makes the Australian GP special?
Albert Park is a fast, flowing semi street circuit in the heart of Melbourne and it often opens the season, making it the first true test of new cars and driver line ups in front of huge crowds.
Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit is one of Formula 1’s most scenic venues, hosting the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne since 1996. Set around the picturesque Albert Park Lake just south of the city centre, the semi permanent street circuit blends public roads with dedicated racing sections, creating a fast and flowing challenge framed by parkland and skyline views. As a traditional season opener, it often provides the first real indication of competitive order, while its smooth surface and evolving grip levels add extra intrigue across the weekend.
The layout measures 5.278 km and features 14 corners, combining high speed direction changes with heavy braking zones that encourage overtaking. Recent redesigns have widened key sections and removed a chicane to increase average speeds, making the circuit one of the quicker street style tracks on the calendar. Drivers must balance precision with aggression, as the walls are close but not as unforgiving as classic street circuits, and changing weather conditions in Melbourne can quickly turn a predictable race into a chaotic one.
- Track length: 5.278 km
- Laps: 58
- Corners: 14
- Lap record: 1:19.813 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 2024)
- Capacity: Approximately 130,000 (race day)
- First F1 race: 1996
