F1 is back in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, which has hosted the race since 1996.
There are two Aussies on the grid for the first time since 2013, with Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri hoping to become the first-ever home grown winner down under.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 58-lap race at 3pm AEDT on Sunday.
Watch the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX LIVE in 4K and ad-break free during racing, Sunday 3pm AEDT. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Piastri draws comparisons to Hamilton | 01:06
THE RADICAL TYRE MOVE
Pirelli has made a radical call for this weekend’s action. For the first time this season, drivers will be able to use the C5 compound – the softest compound available from the tyre manufacturer.
They can also use the C4 and C3 compounds.
Remarkably, the safest compound available hasn’t been used at a Grand Prix since 2022 – also in Melbourne. But that year, they brought the C2 and C3 compound as well, instead of this year’s C4.
Not only do the teams not use the C5 tyre often in races, they also ran precious little testing on the tyre in pre-season.
During the test in Bahrain before the season began, the ten F1 teams ran a combined total of just 140 kilometres on the C5 tyre – far less than any other tyre. Lewis Hamilton did one long run on the C5 in Bahrain, so his Mercedes might have a crucial leg up for Melbourne.
Softer tyres are typically faster but suffer more degradation. Using the C5 could potentially open up more race strategies, instead of the typical one-stop deployed at Albert Park.
MORE NEWS
Why Piastri can drag fallen giant back to promised land … and finally end Aussie curse
‘See where the wind takes me’: What Red Bull F1 soap opera means for Ricciardo
Best since Lewis: Hometown hero earns high praise from McLaren boss — Aus GP Daily
How ‘Drive to Survive’ changed Formula 1 | 01:34
SUPERCARS’ HECTIC WEEKEND
Australia’s premiere racing category, Supercars, is also in action this weekend with four sprint races. It’s the fastest track of the season – just shading Bathurst with an average speed around 180km/h – and a jam-packed weekend means plenty of action on show.
Thursday and Friday’s 19-lap races will time out at 40 minutes. Saturday and Sunday’s 14-lap races will be capped at half an hour. And there’ll be no pit stops – so it’s just all-out sprint racing.
HOW MANY FANS?
Lots. Over 450,000 are expected to flood into Albert Park over the four days.
HOW TO WATCH
The entire Australian Grand Prix, including every practice, qualifying and race, can be watched live and ad-break free on Foxtel.
Kayo Sports subscribers can also watch every practice, qualifying session and race of the F1 live in 4K for the first time.
Watch the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX LIVE in 4K and ad-break free during racing, Sunday 3pm AEDT. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
PAST WINNERS
2023 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2022 – Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2021 – No race due to Covid-19 pandemic
2020 – No race due to Covid-19 pandemic
2019 – Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2018 – Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2017 – Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
Steiner opens up on shock Haas exit | 02:12
THE SCHEDULE
The full schedule is available below, with the three Formula categories listed first before the Supercars schedule.
F1, F2, F3 SCHEDULE
Friday, March 22
12.30pm-1.30pm: F1 Practice 1
2pm – 2pm: Formula 3 Qualifying
4pm-5pm: F1 Practice 2
5.30pm – 6pm: Formula 2 Qualifying
Saturday, March 23
11.15am – 12pm: Formula 3 Sprint Race
12.30pm-1.30pm: F1 Practice 3
2.15pm – 3.05pm: Formula 2 Sprint Race
4pm-5pm: F1 Qualifying
Sunday, March 24
9.05am – 9.50am: Formula 3 Feature Race
11.35am – 12.35pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
1pm-1.30pm- F1 drivers’ parade
3pm-6pm: F1 race (58 laps)
SUPERCARS SCHEDULE
Friday March 22
2.50pm-3.35pm: Race 4 (20 laps)
Saturday March 23
9am-9.15: Race 5 Qualifying
9.25am-9.40: Race 6 Qualifying
5.35pm-6.10pm: Race 5 (15 laps)
Sunday March 24
10.20am-10.55: Race 6 (15 laps)
Source Agencies
