Qatar Airways Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 | Dates & Details

February 17, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

The official on-track schedule for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026 has been released, with four days of motorsport action planned for the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit from March 5th to 8th. The event will kick off the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season. The schedule includes Formula 1 practice and qualifying sessions, culminating in the race on March 8th. Alongside Formula 1, the event will feature Formula 2, Formula 3, the Supercars Championship and the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. David Corrigan, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Division Manager – Motorsport, stated the event has a “unique energy” surrounding it, particularly as it will be the first opportunity to see the new F1 cars and updated technical regulations in action. Formula 1 first raced at Albert Park in Melbourne in 1996, following the conclusion of the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide in 1995. The Albert Park Circuit was constructed using existing roads around the city, including Aughtie Drive and Lakeside Drive, with a section running through the Lakeside Stadium car park. The circuit is 5.278km long and requires 58 laps to complete the race distance of 306.124km. Charles Leclerc currently holds the fastest lap time at 1:19.813, set in 2024. Thursday, March 5th, will feature competitive sessions across multiple categories, including Supercars and Porsche Carrera Cup, as well as a “nostalgic addition” to the lineup that has yet to be announced. Friday, March 6th, marks the first official Formula 1 session of the 2026 season, with practice runs for the new cars built to updated technical regulations. Qualifying sessions for Formula 2 and Formula 3, along with sprint racing from Supercars, will also accept place. Ticket sales for the event began on September 10th, 2025, with a limit of 10 tickets per person for the general public. All tickets are digital and accessible via the Ticketmaster App or website. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has advised fans to ensure they have a My Ticketmaster account prior to purchasing tickets. The event is expected to draw significant attention as it showcases the new Formula 1 cars and regulations for the 2026 season. The grid will consist of twenty-two cars.