THE 2026 FORMULA 1 SEASON BEGINS IN AUSTRALIA: IT IS RACE WEEK
This weekend, the long wait is finally over. The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship begins with the Australian Grand Prix, the first race of a massive 24-round season. After months of speculation and testing, it is time for real competition.
Pre-season testing has given us only small clues about what to expect. Teams completed a shakedown in Barcelona and two official test sessions in Bahrain, but as usual, no one showed their full potential. Lap times in testing are often misleading, as fuel loads and engine modes remain secret, the true pecking order will only become clear once qualifying begins in Melbourne.
Many observers believe Mercedes may start the season as the team to beat. Reports suggest their new V6 engine features an innovative system that can adjust compression under racing conditions, potentially offering a significant performance advantage.
At the front, four top teams appear to have a small advantage over the rest of the field: Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari, Red Bull. Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Cadillac seemed to struggle during testing, though for very different reasons.
In the midfield, the competition looks especially close. Haas and Alpine showed promising pace, with Audi not far behind. Williams is working on a weight reduction plan for its FW48 that could improve performance early in the season. Racing Bulls also impressed with consistent and reliable long runs.
Formula 1 at Albert Park Circuit: What to Know
The race takes place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, a track that first appeared on the F1 calendar in 1996. It uses public roads that are temporarily converted into a race circuit. The layout was updated in 2022 season to improve overtaking and increase speeds.
One lap measures 5.278 kilometers. In 58 racing laps, drivers will cover 14 corners, nine right-hand turns and five left-handers.
Since DRS has been removed from Formula 1, it has been replaced by new systems called Straight Mode Zones and an Overtake Mode Zone. Drivers can activate overtaking mode only if they are within one second of the car ahead. The detection point is located after Turn 13, and activation is allowed from the exit of Turn 14 onto the main straight, lasting one entire lap.
The current lap record belongs to Charles Leclerc, who set a 1:19.813 in 2024. In 2025, Lando Norris won the Australian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell.
Tyres and Weather
Pirelli will supply the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft) compounds for the weekend. These are among the softer tyres in the current range, following the removal of the ultra-soft C6 compound. Intermediate and Full Wet tyres will also be available, but current forecasts predict dry and sunny conditions with temperatures around 20°C.
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