Early honours for Kostecki and Osborne at Albert Park

There was plenty to see and enjoy on the opening day of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.

The Formula 1® drivers and their teams were in attendance, ready to take to the track on Friday, but the main support category of the day was Supercars, featuring two qualifying sessions and a 13-lap race. Dick Johnson Racing Ford star Brodie Kostecki took pole position under unusual and somewhat brave circumstances. Feeling unwell, he was sick inside the car during his fastest lap, before having to shake off the effects and wash out his helmet ahead of the second session, which followed immediately afterwards.

The 2023 Supercars champion won the start and wasted no time establishing a lead, going on to claim victory by 0.46 seconds, despite the race being interrupted by a Safety Car and shortened from 19 laps to 17.

Second place went to fellow Ford driver Matt Payne (Grove Racing), ahead of Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney and fellow Ford driver James Golding (Blanchard Racing Team).

The Porsche Carrera Cup drivers endured a tricky start to their day, with the opening practice session stopped by a red flag following a crash. Clay Osborne claimed pole position, and the 20-year-old New Zealander won the start of the first race of the weekend, leading home two Carrera Cup champions, Dylan O’Keeffe and Harri Jones.

French star Marcus Amand charged from ninth on the grid to finish fourth, while in Pro-Am, Matt Belford claimed class honours after a battle with Rodney Jane, who lost his position following a clash with Tom Bewley on the final lap.

There were also two all-important shakedown sessions for the Formula 2™ and Formula 3™ teams, ensuring everything is in readiness for Friday’s crucial practice and qualifying sessions.