New F1 Era Dawns with Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne
A brand new chapter in Formula 1 history unfolds this weekend as the 2026 season commences with the traditional opener, the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park Street Circuit. The event marks the start of a fresh era featuring revised engine and chassis regulations, alongside the debut of the Cadillac team, injecting fresh excitement into the sport.
Russell Tops Grid as Mercedes Emerges as Early Favourite
Despite Lando Norris clinching his maiden world championship last season in a dramatic Abu Dhabi finale, edging out four-time champion Max Verstappen by a mere two points, McLaren are not considered the frontrunners heading into this new campaign. Instead, Mercedes' superior engine performance has positioned them at the top of the pecking order, with British driver George Russell installed as the bookmakers' favourite for victory.
The starting grid for the race sees Russell on pole position, followed by his teammate Kimi Antonelli in second. Isack Hadjar of Red Bull occupies third, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Oscar Piastri rounding out the top five. Defending champion Lando Norris starts sixth, while his former rival Lewis Hamilton lines up seventh for Ferrari.
Hamilton and Ferrari Eye Redemption After Disappointing Debut
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging first season with Ferrari in 2025, failing to secure a single podium finish. However, the 41-year-old veteran and his teammate Charles Leclerc demonstrated promising pace during pre-season testing, suggesting they could be strong contenders this weekend. Hamilton is determined to turn his fortunes around and mount a serious challenge in the 2026 championship.
Complete Starting Grid for the Australian Grand Prix
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
- Ollie Bearman (Haas)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Event Schedule and Viewing Information
The Australian Grand Prix weekend follows a packed timetable, with all times listed in GMT. Qualifying took place on Saturday 7 March at 5am, while the main race is scheduled for Sunday 8 March at 4am.
In the United Kingdom, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage commencing at 2:30am GMT on Sunday. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the action via the Sky Go app. For those without a subscription, a NOWTV Day Pass offers an alternative viewing option. International viewers may require a VPN to access their preferred streaming services.
2026 Driver Line-Up and Race Calendar Highlights
The 2026 season features a mix of established stars and promising newcomers across the grid. Notable changes include Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, and the all-new Cadillac team with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Italicised entries indicate new seats for the season.
The 24-race calendar kicks off in Melbourne and includes highlights such as sprint weekends in China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, and the Netherlands. The season concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on 4-6 December, promising a thrilling championship battle across diverse circuits worldwide.
