A new Formula 1 season is upon us and it could be the most unpredictable start to a new campaign in recent memory.

Significant regulation changes will see a new era of F1 begin at the Australian Grand Prix where a new pecking order will begin to form and a different style of racing which the drivers will need to adjust to.

Pre-season testing suggested no team will dominate with Mercedes and Ferrari expected to contend for the first win of 2026.

It means George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are among the favourites for victory in Melbourne, along with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton - particularly if Ferrari replicate their rocketship starts from Bahrain testing.

McLaren and Red Bull should be close too, so do not completely rule out reigning world champion Lando Norris, home hero Oscar Piastri or four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

As usual for Australia, you will need to set your alarm clocks on for those watching in the UK and Ireland, or stay up overnight with Formula 2 and Formula 3 also getting under way next weekend.

Australian GP circuit - Albert Park

For the second consecutive season, Formula 1's season-opener will be held at Albert Park in Melbourne which is one of the sport's favourite locations for fans and drivers.

Aside from the cancelled events in 2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Melbourne has featured on the calendar every year since 1996.

Track changes ahead of the 2022 event saw the circuit become faster to increase overtaking, with some corners removed or changed. The best places to overtake are at Turns 3 and 11 but that may change with the new expected style of racing due to the 2026 F1 regulation changes where energy deployment will be critical.

Australian GP weather forecast in Melbourne

The current weather forecast suggests it will be a dry, warm weekend in Melbourne - a contrast to last year's season-opener when rain caused chaos on race day.

The air temperature will be around 24C with no rain expected across the three days of track action.

Australian GP 2026 dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1's live schedule

Thursday March 5
3am: Drivers' Press Conference
6am: Paddock Uncut
9.45pm: F3 Practice
10.55pm: F2 Practice

Friday March 6
1am: Australian GP Practice One (session starts at 1.30am)*
2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
3.30am: Team Bosses Press Conference
3.50am: F2 Qualifying*
4.35am: Australian GP Practice Two (session starts at 5am)*
6.15am: The F1 Show*

Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Sprint*
1.10am: Australian GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Sprint*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*

Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted's Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky Showcase)*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

How to watch or stream the Australian Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland

Got Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from the first practice session on Friday morning to the Australian Grand Prix itself on Sunday, March 8 at 4am

App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app - with the option to go onboard with any driver!

Not got Sky?

Stream: Non Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass

Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog

FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app

How to watch the Australian GP with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports Subscribers can:

1. Download or open the Sky Sports app
2. Head to the 'Watch' section at 2.30am for build-up, ahead of lights out at 4am on race day
3. Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (*you'll only need to do this once)

*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD

What is NOW?

NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more.

It's an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime!

You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. See the latest NOW membership prices.

More information about NOW can be found here.

Watch every race of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

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