Round 1 of 22 · Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

3:00 PM GMT+11 · Melbourne · Melbourne

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Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia · Australia/Melbourne

Albert Park Circuit is a 5.278 km (3.280 miles) semi-street circuit wrapped around an artificial lake in Melbourne. Its 14 corners span a 58-lap race distance of 306.124 km. The circuit first hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1996 after the race relocated from Adelaide. Charles Leclerc holds the lap record at 1:19.813, set in 2024 during qualifying.

The layout blends fast sweeps and tight chicanes. The Turn 1 and Turn 2 braking zone is the primary overtaking spot, while Turns 11 and 12 reward precision through a quick-fire left-right sequence. Multiple DRS zones were introduced after the 2022 reconfiguration, which widened several corners, removed the old Turn 9/10 chicane, and increased average speeds significantly. The modifications transformed what was once a processional circuit into one that regularly produces wheel-to-wheel racing and late-braking moves.

Albert Park has produced memorable moments throughout its F1 history. The inaugural 1996 race on 10 March was won by Damon Hill for Williams. On 2 April 2023, Max Verstappen dominated from pole, while the 2022 edition on 10 April saw Charles Leclerc take a commanding win as part of his strong season start. The 2014 race marked the beginning of the turbocharged hybrid era, won by Nico Rosberg. Safety cars are a frequent feature, with the concrete barriers and lake-side walls leaving little room for error.

Melbourne sits in the Australia/Melbourne timezone at AEDT (UTC+11) in March. A 15:00 local start is 04:00 GMT, 05:00 CET, and 23:00 PST the previous evening. European fans set alarms or watch replays, while viewers in East Asia get a comfortable early afternoon window. For fans in Japan, the race falls at 13:00 JST; in China at 12:00 CST. Check Australia time and Melbourne time for current timezone details.

March in Melbourne brings late-summer warmth, with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius and the ever-present possibility of a sudden weather change. Afternoon sea breezes can shift track conditions between sessions. The city itself is one of the best on the F1 calendar for visitors, with world-class dining, a thriving coffee culture, and the Grand Prix weekend functioning as a festival that extends well beyond the circuit gates. Melbourne’s public transport connects fans directly to the venue, making Albert Park one of the most accessible tracks in F1.

See the full race schedule and session times at the Australian Grand Prix page.

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park took place on Sunday 8 March, lights out at 15:00 AEDT (UTC+11). It has been the season opener in most years since 1996, barring the pandemic and occasional calendar reshuffles. The circuit is 5.278 km long with 14 corners.

It was not a sprint weekend. Practice, qualifying, and the race ran across the standard three-day format.

The Albert Park Circuit winds through parkland around a lake south of Melbourne’s city center. The layout was resurfaced and reconfigured in 2022 to create faster, more flowing sections and genuine overtaking opportunities. At 5.278 km with 14 corners, the track combines high-speed straights with tight chicanes that consistently produce safety car periods and unpredictable racing.

Melbourne has delivered some of the most dramatic season openers in F1 history. In 1996, Martin Brundle’s spectacular airborne crash on the opening lap set the tone for the venue’s chaotic reputation. Jenson Button took a shock victory in 2009 for Brawn GP, signaling one of the sport’s greatest underdog stories. In 2023, a chaotic race with three red flags ended with Max Verstappen taking victory, proving Albert Park never follows the script.

When did the Australian Grand Prix start? Lights out at 15:00 AEDT on March 8 translated to 04:00 GMT and 05:00 CET, the alarm-clock race of the season for European fans. North American viewers had a late Saturday night, with the start at 23:00 Eastern and 20:00 Pacific on Saturday 7 March. Asian fans had a more comfortable slot at 12:00 JST and 12:00 CST. Check Australia time for the exact start in your location.

The 2026 season opener carried extra weight. New technical regulations brought sweeping changes to aerodynamics, with active aero elements and a revised power unit formula emphasizing electrical performance. Albert Park, with its mix of high-speed straights, heavy braking zones, and low-grip corners, was the first real test of which teams had interpreted the rules correctly. Oscar Piastri raced at home for McLaren, and the Melbourne crowd was firmly behind their local driver as the 2026 campaign began.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did the Australian Grand Prix start?

The Australian Grand Prix started at 15:00 local time in Melbourne on 2026-03-08. This page shows the start time converted to your local timezone.

Where is the Australian Grand Prix held?

The Australian Grand Prix takes place at Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia.

Was the Australian Grand Prix a sprint weekend?

No, the Australian Grand Prix ran the standard weekend format with practice, qualifying, and the race.