In 1996, the Australian state of Victoria snared the race from South Australia’s Adelaide, which had been the F1 season finale every year since 1985. Melbourne flipped F1’s annual Australia visit around, and it has since been the first race in 24 out of the 29 events held at Albert Park (including this weekend).

Complete 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix weekend schedule, including practice sessions, qualifying, and race start time at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

Here's how qualifying works in Formula 1 following some minor tweaks made to accommodate Cadillac's entry as the 11th team on the 2026 grid.

Isack Hadjar has no lack of confidence going into his debut season at Red Bull Racing, despite having arguably the most difficult ride in Formula 1

F1 Australian GP live: Race start time with Verstappen at the back after shock crash - Follow live F1 updates from the Albert Park Street Circuit with George Russell on pole

General Motors CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss, as well as Ford Exec Chair Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley, were in Melbourne ahead of the season-opening F1 race.

The F1 paddock rolls into Melbourne, Australia, ready to shake down a new set of dauntingly technical regulations new to the 2026 season. There are more questions than answers as to how the new cars will handle in racing conditions, whether attrition will be prominent and whether one team will even make the start of the race.