Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne’s Albert Park hosts the race that most commonly opens the Formula 1 season — a semi-permanent street circuit through a lakeside park, beloved by fans for its festive atmosphere, unpredictable safety cars, and the electric energy of a new campaign beginning.
Circuit Facts
About the Circuit
Albert Park has hosted the Australian Grand Prix since 1996, when Michael Schumacher won the first edition and Damon Hill finished second in what would become one of the season’s most memorable title battles. The circuit winds through a public park around the perimeter of Albert Park Lake, just south of Melbourne’s CBD, transforming peaceful parkland into a spectacular racing venue for one weekend each year.
The layout was significantly revised and resurfaced ahead of the 2022 race, with several chicanes removed or altered to create a faster, more flowing circuit. The changes slashed lap times considerably and produced much more overtaking — Charles Leclerc’s 2022 lap record of 1:19.813 stands as testament to just how quick the revised layout became. The mix of tight technical sections and fast open stretches means the circuit rewards a well-balanced car rather than an outright specialist.
Safety cars are a near-constant feature of the Australian GP — the combination of street-circuit-style barriers, occasional unpredictable weather, and the clean ‘green’ track surface at the start of the season all contribute to a high likelihood of caution periods disrupting race strategy. This, combined with the season-opener pressure, makes Melbourne one of the most strategically fascinating races of the year.
Key Corners
Four corners that define the Albert Park challenge and regularly feature in the race’s decisive moments.
Turn 1 — First-Lap Flashpoint
A heavy braking zone at the end of the start/finish straight, Turn 1 is the focal point of virtually every first lap of the Australian GP. The wide entry and compressed braking window makes it a magnet for contact, and with the circuit still green at the start of the season, cars frequently push the limits here with sometimes chaotic results.
Turn 3 — Flat-Out Right
One of the fastest and most committed corners at Albert Park, Turn 3 is taken flat or near-flat in qualifying trim and demands maximum downforce and full driver trust in the car’s aero balance. Any instability or understeer here becomes very expensive very quickly, with the barriers close on both sides.
Turns 9–10 — The Chicane
The main overtaking opportunity on the lap following a long accelerating section, this chicane produces most of the race’s genuine wheel-to-wheel battles. Cars arrive at speed, brake hard for the left-right sequence, and the different braking points available between cars of different performance levels creates genuine passing opportunities.
Turns 15–16 — Penultimate Chicane
A tight left-right chicane near the end of the lap that feeds onto the final straight. Getting a clean exit here is essential for a fast lap time, and drivers who over-defend or over-attack at this point often run wide onto the kerbs, losing time or potentially triggering an incident that can affect the race order.
Race Atmosphere
Australian fans are among the most knowledgeable and passionate on the F1 calendar. Albert Park fills with enormous crowds across the race weekend, and the combination of beautiful late-summer weather (March in Melbourne), the lakeside park surroundings, and a full entertainment programme makes the event one of the most enjoyable to attend in person. Fans get close to the action at multiple vantage points around the circuit, and the atmosphere in the grandstands builds to fever pitch on race day.
The season-opener status adds an extra layer of drama — this is the first time the new cars race competitively, the first chance to see which teams and drivers have genuinely made the winter progress they promised. Every session carries extra weight and the paddock crackles with a nervous energy that dissipates as the season develops. For new fans, Australia is the ideal introduction to the spectacle of Formula 1.
Tyre Strategy
Pirelli typically nominates Medium and Hard compounds for Australia, with the Soft available for qualifying. Tyre degradation at Albert Park is relatively low compared to the most abrasive circuits, meaning a one-stop race is theoretically achievable — but safety cars, which are almost certain to appear at some point, frequently force teams to rethink their strategy mid-race.
The circuit’s smooth but green surface at the start of the weekend can cause unpredictable tyre behaviour in early practice, with rubber laid down progressively improving grip as the weekend advances. Teams that best manage the variable safety car risk — choosing between undercutting rivals and staying out for track position — typically emerge with the strongest results.
How to Watch in the UK
Sky Sports F1
Live coverage of every session — practice, qualifying, and the race. Note: Melbourne is a Sunday morning live race in UK time due to the time difference.
Channel 4
Free-to-air extended highlights of qualifying and the race. Available on Channel 4 and the Channel 4 streaming app.
F1 TV Pro
All sessions live with onboard cameras, team radio, and live data. Subscription required. Check local blackout restrictions.
Broadcast times vary by year — check our TV Schedule page for exact session times.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2024 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2022 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2021 | Not held — COVID-19 cancellation | |