when does the grand prix start
The 2026 Formula 1 season's first Grand Prix, the Australian Grand Prix, is currently underway in Melbourne at Albert Park.
Race Weekend Schedule
The event spans March 6-8, 2026, with the main race set for Sunday, March 8.
Practice and qualifying sessions kicked off earlier in the weekend, building hype around new regulations and team lineups like McLaren's title chase.
As of March 9, the race has likely concluded, but live timings were around local evening for global viewers.
Key 2026 Calendar Highlights
Here's the official F1 lineup, starting strong Down Under:
| Round | Grand Prix | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian GP | March 6-8 |
| 2 | Chinese GP (Sprint) | March 13-15 |
| 3 | Japanese GP | March 27-29 |
| 4 | Bahrain GP | April 10-12 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabian GP | April 17-19 |
Viewing and Buzz
Catch replays or streams via platforms like Apple TV or F1 TV, with US start times around early Sunday morning ET.
Fans are buzzing about potential chaos at the start due to new car rules—could Mercedes dominate early, or will Norris defend his form?
This opener sets the tone for a 24-race sprint to Abu Dhabi in December.
TL;DR: Australian GP started March 6-8, 2026; race on March 8—check results for winners amid fresh F1 regs.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
