Blog: Everything You Need to Know About the Australian GP
Since 1996, races have been held at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Australia. From 2011 to 2019, this circuit hosted the opening race of the Formula 1 season. In recent years, Bahrain took over as the season opener, but this year, the Formula 1 season will once again kick off in Australia! Although the pre-season test days are being held in Bahrain, the first Grand Prix will take place in Australia. It’s going to be an early and tough morning for all European fans. Get ready for the season and read all about the Australian Grand Prix here!
Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne is a unique venue that combines the thrill of high-speed racing with a stunning parkland setting. Built around Albert Park Lake, the track uses public roads with a smooth surface, unlike many street circuits. Its picturesque location, featuring the lake as a backdrop, makes it a standout on the Formula 1 calendar.
Since its inaugural Grand Prix in 1996, the circuit has delivered iconic moments. Spanning 5.278 kilometers with 14 turns and two DRS zones, it challenges drivers over 58 laps, covering a race distance of 306.124 kilometers. Charles Leclerc holds the lap record of 1:19.813, set in 2024.
Legends like Michael Schumacher, with the most wins here, and teams like McLaren and Ferrari, each boasting 10 victories, have dominated the track. Lewis Hamilton, with a record 11 podium finishes, exemplifies consistency at Albert Park. This circuit remains a beloved opener to the season, offering fans excitement and history in equal measure.
Australian grand prix 2025
Friday & Saturday
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was the season opener! And this wasn’t just any race—it was truly spectacular. The weekend started off calmly with three free practice sessions, but not for everyone. Six drivers were making their Formula 1 debut, and many others had switched teams. This meant that a lot of drivers still had to get familiar with their cars. Fortunately, they had three practice sessions to do just that.
On Saturday, it was finally time to see what the cars were capable of. How fast was each team, and what was the pecking order? McLaren proved their strength, with Lando Norris taking pole position and Oscar Piastri securing P2, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in P3. But there were also some surprises—Yuki Tsunoda qualified P5, Alex Albon took P6, and the Ferraris were all the way down in P7 and P8. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson didn’t have the start he had hoped for, as he failed to make it into Q2 and ended up in P18.
Race Day
And then it was race day. As expected, the weather was dreadful—heavy rain and a soaked track. The race was set to start on time, but rookie Isack Hadjar crashed during the formation lap, causing a brief delay. Once the race got underway, things didn’t go smoothly. Jack Doohan lost control of his car on the wet track, and while his car was being cleared, Carlos Sainz also slid off into the wall.
But the chaos didn’t stop there—Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson all failed to finish the race. While all this drama unfolded at the back of the field, Lando Norris led for most of the race. However, both he and his teammate slid off the track. Norris managed to recover, but Piastri fell to the back of the pack.
As if there wasn’t enough drama already, the rain got even heavier. For a moment, it looked like Verstappen might take the win or that Ferrari could even secure a 1-2 finish. But in the end, McLaren and Norris made the right tire call, securing victory! It got tense in the closing laps as Verstappen closed in, but the Brit held his ground and won the first race of the season.
Australian Grand Prix 2024
In 2024, the Australian Grand Prix was the third race of the season. After Max Verstappen’s dominant performance throughout 2023, the Dutchman carried his momentum into the new season, winning the first two races. Many F1 fans feared another year of Verstappen dominance, but Australia brought his winning streak to an unexpected end.
Verstappen DNF
Despite securing pole position with the fastest lap in qualifying, Verstappen couldn’t convert it into a win. He started strong but was soon overtaken by Carlos Sainz, who had missed the previous race due to appendix surgery. Things went from bad to worse for Verstappen when his car began smoking, forcing him to retire due to technical issues.
Carlos Sainz victory
Carlos Sainz took a remarkable victory, with his teammate Charles Leclerc finishing second and his close friend Lando Norris rounding out the podium in third. The win was particularly special for Sainz, as he had been in the hospital just two weeks earlier.
Double Mercedes DNF
On the other hand, it was a race to forget for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton retired early with mechanical issues, and shortly after, George Russell crashed, leaving his car stranded in a dangerous spot on the track. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it added to the day’s drama.
Why Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix is a Must-Visit: Best Viewing Spots & Tips
The Australian Grand Prix has always been a fan favorite, regularly attracting over 270,000 spectators. In 2024, it smashed records with an astonishing 452,055 attendees over the weekend, including 132,106 on race day alone. Ticket prices are on the pricey side, with Friday admission already exceeding €400 (or equivalent in dollars). However, the experience is undoubtedly worth it, offering fans a chance to witness an incredible Grand Prix in the stunning setting of Albert Park, located in the vibrant city of Melbourne, Australia.
Thinking of visiting the Australian Grand Prix? You have plenty of time to plan! The race is guaranteed to stay on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2037, making it the circuit with the longest contract in F1 so far.
Melbourne, consistently ranked as one of the world’s best cities, comes alive during the Formula 1 weekend. With its vibrant food scene, beaches, and mild autumn weather, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the race. For the best views, the Waite Stand at Turn 10 and Brabham Grandstand at Turn 2 are ideal, while general admission areas between Turns 8-9 or 9-10 offer a more relaxed, picnic-like atmosphere.
What time does the Australian Grand Prix start in my time zone?
Free practice 1
- Las Vegas PST: 5:30 PM Saturday
- London GMT: 1:30 AM
- Berlin CET: 2:30 AM
- Moscow MSK: 4:30 AM
- Dubai GST: 5:30 AM
- Melbourne AEDT: 12:30 PM
- Tokyo JST: 10:30 AM
- Singapore SGT: 9:30 AM
- New York EST: 8:30 PM Saturday
- China CST: 9:30 AM
- India IST: 7:00 AM
Free practice 2
- Las Vegas PST: 9:00 PM Saturday
- London GMT: 5:00 AM
- Berlin CET: 6:00 AM
- Moscow MSK: 8:00 AM
- Dubai GST: 9:00 AM
- Melbourne AEDT: 4:00 PM
- Tokyo JST: 2:00 PM
- Singapore SGT: 1:00 PM
- New York EST: 12:00 AM
- China CST: 12:00 PM
- India IST: 10:30 AM
Free practice 3
- Las Vegas PST: 5:30 PM Saturday
- London GMT: 1:30 AM
- Berlin CET: 2:30 AM
- Moscow MSK: 4:30 AM
- Dubai GST: 5:30 AM
- Melbourne AEDT: 12:30 PM
- Tokyo JST: 10:30 AM
- Singapore SGT: 9:30 AM
- New York EST: 8:30 PM Saturday
- China CST: 9:30 AM
- India IST: 7:00 AM
Qualifying
- Las Vegas PST: 9:00 PM Saturday
- London GMT: 5:00 AM
- Berlin CET: 6:00 AM
- Moscow MSK: 8:00 AM
- Dubai GST: 9:00 AM
- Melbourne AEDT: 4:00 PM
- Tokyo JST: 2:00 PM
- Singapore SGT: 1:00 PM
- New York EST: 12:00 AM
- China CST: 12:00 PM
- India IST: 10:30 AM
Australian Grand prix
Las Vegas PST 8:00 PM Saturday
London GMT : 4:00 AM Sunday
Berlin CET : 5:00 AM Sunday
Moscow MSK: 7:00 AM Sunday
Dubai GST : 8:00 AM Sunday
Melbourne AEDT : 3:00 PM Sunday
Tokyo JST : 1:00 PM Sunday
Singapore SGT : 12:00 PM Sunday
New York EST : 11:00 PM Saturday
China CST : 11:00 AM Sunday
India IST : 9:30 AM Sunday
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