Round 1 · 2026
Australian Grand Prix
Albert Park Circuit
Melbourne, Australia · 5 Mar–8 Mar, 2026
Weekend Schedule
All sessions, times & timetable
🗺Experiences
Curated activities for every session gap
🚃Getting There
Transport, parking & gate times
💡Tips & FAQ
Weather, budget, tips & FAQ
Looking for things to do between sessions? Browse Melbourne F1 2026 experiences — curated activities matched to every session gap in the weekend.
Why Melbourne Is the Perfect F1 City
Albert Park Circuit sits just 3 km from Melbourne's Central Business District — making the 2026 Australian Grand Prix one of the most uniquely explorable events on the F1 calendar. With 4+ hour evening gaps between sessions and a full day on Thursday before competitive action begins, race weekend becomes as much a city break as a motorsport event. Melbourne's laneways, beaches, bayside suburbs, and surrounding wine country are all within a 10–60 minute reach of the circuit. Over 30 curated experiences on F1 Weekend are specifically matched to your session gaps — so you never miss a lap, and you never miss Melbourne.
Round
1 of 24
Dates
5 Mar–8 Mar
Circuit
Albert Park Circuit
City
Melbourne, AU
Turns
14
Race Laps
58
Top Speed
310+ km/h
Circuit Length
5.278 km
Race Weekend Format
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix runs across four days. Here is how the four days break down, and where the gaps fall.
Thursday
FREE DAYFan activations at the circuit and Melbourne city centre. No competitive sessions. Best day for full-day excursions or local tours. Gates open but no timing pressure.
All day — 10+ hours available
Friday
PRACTICETypically two practice sessions. Morning gap before gates open and evening gap after sessions end for dining and nightlife.
Morning: 3+ hrs · Evening: 4+ hrs
Saturday
QUALI / SPRINTQualifying or Sprint sessions. Gaps are typically shorter between high-stakes sessions.
Morning: 2+ hrs · Between sessions: 1–2 hrs
Sunday
RACE DAYMain race start. Morning typically free until gates open — ideal for a relaxed city brunch or market visit.
Morning: 3+ hrs before gates open
Thursday — Your Free Day
Thursday is typically the only day with no competitive sessions on track. If you hold a 4-day or Thursday pass, this is your day to explore. Use it for experiences that need a full day.
Full-day experiences for Thursday will be available here soon.
Browse all Thursday options →Data Insights from the 2025 Race
Based on historical data from the 2025 Australia Grand Prix via OpenF1, here is what to expect at Albert Park Circuit in 2025.
2025 Top Speed
312 km/h
2025 Fastest Lap
1:22.167
Winning Strategy
5-stop
*Data reflects the 2025 Australia Grand Prix, sourced from the OpenF1 API. This is an unofficial community project.