Australia confirmed as 2026 F1® season opener

As the season opener, Australia will see the debut of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, set to join as the 11th team on the grid. The addition of the team is likely to set off a chain of driver movements in the sport’s notorious ‘silly season’ during the European summer break, which could result in a number of new driver and team combinations debuting at Albert Park.

The Audi F1 Team will also make their debut in Melbourne, as a team and power unit manufacturer through the acquisition of current team Sauber.

Outside of new driver and team debuts, all eyes at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit are sure to be on Australian superstar Oscar Piastri, who is currently enjoying his most successful Formula 1 season to date and leads the driver standings ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris. 

In 2025, a record-breaking estimated attendance of 465,498 at Albert Park surpassed the previous attendance records set in 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

The festivities extended across Melbourne, with the first ever F1 Melbourne Fan Festival, which was free for fans to attend. The Fan Festival featured driver appearances, including Piastri, and viewing of every practice, qualifying and race session live from Albert Park. 

Information on ticket sales for the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 will be released in the coming months.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos 

“This year’s Grand Prix was bigger and better than ever. Not just in terms of the record attendance at Albert Park, but new events like the F1 Melbourne Fan Festival that helped make the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix one of the most memorable in recent years.” 
 
“The Allan Labor Government is excited to lock in the dates for next year’s race and get to work on another unforgettable event that brings even more visitors from around the world to Melbourne.”

Quotes attributable to Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Travis Auld 

“The Formula 1 calendar announcement is always an exciting moment, and in the coming weeks we will be sharing on-sale dates for tickets to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026, which we know will be eagerly anticipated.”  

“There is something special about being the first race of the season, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with hundreds of thousands of fans once again in 2026.”