Formula 1, Sportrik Media - The qualifying session for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit will determine the first pole position of the new Formula 1 season, with the competitive order expected to become clearer after Friday practice.
Last season, Lando Norris secured pole position for McLaren Formula 1 Team before converting it into victory the following day. This year, Norris again enters the weekend among the favourites, although home driver Oscar Piastri could become the first Australian to claim pole position in the Formula 1 World Championship era.
Several other leading contenders are also expected to challenge for the front row, including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari, George Russell representing Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, and reigning champion Max Verstappen driving for Red Bull Racing.
Below is the 2026 Australian Grand Prix schedule with multiple international time zones for global audiences.
| Session | Local Time (Melbourne) | UK (GMT) | Europe (CET) | USA East (ET) | USA West (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Fri 6 Mar – 08:30 | Thu 5 Mar – 21:30 | Thu 5 Mar – 22:30 | Thu 5 Mar – 16:30 | Thu 5 Mar – 13:30 |
| Free Practice 2 | Fri 6 Mar – 12:00 | Fri 6 Mar – 01:00 | Fri 6 Mar – 02:00 | Thu 5 Mar – 20:00 | Thu 5 Mar – 17:00 |
| Free Practice 3 | Sat 7 Mar – 08:30 | Fri 6 Mar – 21:30 | Fri 6 Mar – 22:30 | Fri 6 Mar – 16:30 | Fri 6 Mar – 13:30 |
| Qualifying | Sat 7 Mar – 16:00 | Sat 7 Mar – 05:00 | Sat 7 Mar – 06:00 | Sat 7 Mar – 00:00 | Fri 6 Mar – 21:00 |
| Race | Sun 8 Mar – 15:00 | Sun 8 Mar – 04:00 | Sun 8 Mar – 05:00 | Sat 7 Mar – 23:00 | Sat 7 Mar – 20:00 |
Qualifying at Albert Park will be the first decisive moment of the 2026 season as teams continue adapting to the new generation of Formula 1 cars introduced under the latest regulations.
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