New Era of Formula 1® Set to Debut at Albert Park

The off-season is over, and fans around the world will finally get their first look at the new generation of Grand Prix cars on track at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026. The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will host the first full competitive running of the new cars, which combine hybrid technology and engine performance in a way never before seen in the sport. The first opportunity to see the cars run in anger will come at 12:30 pm with the opening 60-minute practice session, followed by a second session at 4:00 pm.

That means Australian fans will be the first to see Lando Norris as World Champion, while home favourite Oscar Piastri looks to unseat his McLaren teammate. Ferrari led the way in pre-season testing, so will this be a chance for Lewis Hamilton to lay down an early marker, or will his teammate Charles Leclerc take the honours? What about George Russell, the title favourite for many experts, or his Mercedes-AMG teammate Kimi Antonelli? Veteran drivers like Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will be tested against rising stars such as Isack Hadjar and Oliver Bearman, while all eyes are on newcomers Audi and Cadillac.

Early risers will be rewarded with the 45-minute FIA Formula 3™ practice session, which will kick off on-track action at 8:50 am. A second session, qualifying, will take place at 2:00 pm to set the all-important grid positions for the sport’s rising stars. Melbourne driver James Wharton returns in 2026 with a new team, the 19-year-old now lining up with Prema Racing. One of his teammates will carry the hopes of New Zealand fans, with Louis Sharp making the move from Rodin.

The FIA Formula 2™ teams and drivers will also begin their season on Friday. A 45-minute practice session is scheduled for 10:00 am, followed by a 30-minute qualifying session at 2:55 pm. While there are no Australian drivers in the field, there will be plenty to watch, with Irishman Alex Dunne expected to be among the pace-setters for Rodin Motorsport. Fans can also keep an eye on a number of second-generation drivers, including Sebastian Montoya, Emerson Fittipaldi Jr, and Colton Herta.

Supercars fans will not want to miss Race 2, which will see a Ford start from pole position for the second day in a row. Grove Racing’s Matt Payne will line up at the front, and after Brodie Kostecki led a Ford rout on Thursday, the question will be whether Chevrolet and Toyota teams can fight back. The race gets underway at 5:25 pm and will run over 19 laps.

The Porsche Carrera Cup field will bring the day’s racing to a close with their second race of the weekend, a 13-lap contest starting at 6:30 pm. On Thursday, young New Zealander Clay Osborne claimed his first win in the series after starting from pole position, with series champions Dylan O’Keeffe and Harri Jones close behind.

And if Formula 1® cars of the past are more your thing, be trackside at 11:10 am for a celebration of the Brabham marque, 60 years after Sir Jack Brabham claimed his third World Championship, followed by a demonstration of the 1988 Lola Larrousse at 11:40 am, powered by a magnificent Cosworth V8.