Australian GP

F1 Australia GP 2024 | Start times & schedule

The temporary 5.278km Albert Park semi-street circuit provides a stern challenge for drivers who are forced to navigate bumps and cope with the ever-changing grip levels as the track rubbers in.

It is also one of the faster layouts on the calendar, with Lewis Hamilton's 2018 pole lap set at an average of over 235km/h.

Ahead of the 2022 event, changes were made to the track, with upgrades to several corners meaning that the new layout comes in some 23 metres shorter than its predecessor. There are also 14 turns, rather than 16.

When is the 2024 Australian Grand Prix on the F1 calendar?

The Australian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 22-24 March, and is set to be the third race of the Formula 1 season. The first two free practice sessions will take place on 22 March, with qualifying on Saturday 23 march at 06:00 BST.

This is the start time of the F1 2024 Australian Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix starts on Sunday 24 March at 06:00 BST. The race can be followed live on RacingNews365's blog.

History of the F1 Australian Grand Prix

Despite some protests, the deal to move the Australian Grand Prix to Albert Park was finalised in 1993, with the circuit comprising a mixture of existing public roads as well as a car park.

The first race in 1996 is remembered for an infamous incident on the opening lap, in which Martin Brundle was vaulted into the air in his Jordan after colliding with Sauber’s Johnny Herbert.

Damon Hill was the winner of the event, whilst other victors at the track have included Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

Most successful F1 drivers and teams

The race is one that Mercedes have dominated in recent times, winning four of the last seven before Ferrari took the spoils in 2022 and Red Bull won in 2023.

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the Albert Park track, having won the event on four occasions.

Schumacher achieved all of his wins at the venue with Ferrari, and the Scuderia are the constructor with the most success at the circuit, with nine victories to their name.

The 2023 Australian Grand Prix

The Australian Grand Prix in 2023 was a crazy race. A total of eight drivers retired due to technical problems or crashes, leading to multiple restarts and red flags. Max Verstappen won in Australia for the first time after this long and interrupted race. Lewis Hamilton finished second, and Fernando Alonso secured the third position. The Spaniard reached the podium in three consecutive GPs.