The hours leading up to the first qualifying session of the Australian GP of the Formula 1 2026 are running out, with teams preparing to contest the first pole position at the iconic Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.
The opening race of the season coincides with the debut of the new F1 regulations for 2026, which include significant changes in both chassis design and power unit architecture.
During the two previous practice sessions, both Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and local driver Oscar Piastri from McLaren have topped the timesheets in FP1 and FP2, respectively. Mercedes, on the other hand, has shown strong performance in long runs, although the final competitive order is not yet fully determined with the implementation of the new regulations.
A total of 22 vehicles will participate in the qualifying session, including the two new teams, Audi (previously Sauber) and Cadillac, which will make their debut as F1 teams this weekend.
Activity Schedule
Participants are preparing for the final practice session before focusing on qualifying, where the first pole position of this new era of F1 will be decided:
- FP3: March 7 at 12:30 (local time)
- Qualifying: March 7 at 16:00 (local time)
Weather Conditions
Weather in Melbourne is expected to be dry and slightly cooler than Friday, with temperatures around 17°C during FP3. As qualifying approaches, the temperature will rise to 20°C, with light winds up to 14 km/h. The chance of rain is 30%, but conditions are expected to be stable with no significant precipitation during qualifying.
Where to Watch the Australian GP
Coverage of the Australian GP varies by region. In the UK, Sky Sports continues as the exclusive broadcaster, offering all sessions live. In the United States, Apple TV has taken on the exclusive broadcasting of F1 for 2026, with a subscription form for F1 TV available globally.
With all these ingredients, expectations are high to see who will conquer the first qualifying session of a season full of changes and excitement. F1 fans do not want to miss the action that will soon unfold in Melbourne.
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