2026 Australian Grand Prix start time: how to watch, live stream and F1 schedule
Watch F1 via live stream or on TV: dates and start time for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix,
Pirelli
How dedicated an F1 fan are you really? Set your alarm clock to find out. TV coverage in the build-up to the first race of the 2026 season in Australia starts at 2.30am GMT, with the race itself underway at 4am. Not everybody will avoid the temptation to hit snooze.
Those that do, however, will be rewarded with the first laps of what promises to be a genuinely unpredictable season. Formula 1 has undertaken a sweeping rule change for 2026, with significantly revised cars meaning the pecking order could be flipped on its head from the very first race.
The early signs from pre-season testing are that Mercedes has stolen a march on its rivals, but Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are also in the mix. The grid also expands to 11 teams with the arrival of Cadillac, marking the first brand-new entry in years.
For the second consecutive season, Melbourne hosts the season opener- a slot it held almost exclusively for more than two decades before Bahrain took over from 2007.
Sky Sports holds exclusive live rights in the UK, with every session broadcast on Sky Sports F1. For non-subscribers, highlights of the Australian Grand Prix will be on free-to-air television on Channel 4.
Here’s how to watch all of the action.
2026 Australian Grand Prix F1 start times, streaming and TV schedule
All times GMT for UK viewers
Friday 6 March
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 1.30am | 1am, Sky Sports F1 |
| Practice 2 | 5am | 4.35am, Sky Sports F1 |
Saturday 7 March
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 3 | 1.30am | 1.10am, Sky Sports F1 | |
| Qualifying | 5am | 4.10am, Sky Sports F1 | Channel 4 |
Sunday 8 March
| Session | Race start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Grand Prix | 4am | 2.30am, Sky Sports F1 | Channel 4 |
How to watch F1
Streaming and TV broadcast details
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix follows the standard race weekend format of three practice sessions, qualifying and the grand prix.
Live TV
Sky customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from the first practice session on Friday morning through to the Australian Grand Prix itself on Sunday March 8 at 4am. Subscribers can also watch via the Sky Sports app, with the option to go onboard with any driver of their choice.
Live stream
NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all Sky Sports channels with contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel at any time. You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. Live timing is also available through the F1 app throughout every session.
Highlights
Channel 4’s 2026 coverage begins with highlights of the Australian GP on March 7–8. Channel 4 will air highlights from qualifying and the race hours after the conclusion of each session.