How to Follow the 2026 Australian Grand Prix on BBC with New F1 Cars

The 2026 Formula 1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix featuring new cars, engines, and rules. BBC provides full coverage including practice, qualifying, and race sessions. Melbourne weather is forecasted sunny. Notable changes include active aero and overtake mode.

What you need to know about the new F1 cars

The 2026 Formula 1 season has officially begun, with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne marking the first race of the 24-event calendar, taking place from 6-8 March.

The race on Sunday is scheduled to start at 04:00 GMT.

This season introduces the most significant regulatory changes in Formula 1 history, featuring redesigned cars, updated engines, and potentially new contenders on the podium.

Following the Australian opener, the season continues at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai from 13-15 March, which will also host the first sprint race of the year.

Among the drivers, British 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls is the sole rookie in the 2026 lineup. Meanwhile, experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been selected to lead Cadillac, the 11th team entering the grid, in their debut season.

Session start times and BBC coverage

Live commentary for the race will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live, , and the website and app.

Listeners can also access coverage by asking most smart speakers to "play BBC Radio 5 Live" or "play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra."

Be sure to tune into every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every Grand Prix will be available for viewing on BBC and YouTube.

Session timings and BBC coverage are as follows:

First practice: 01:30-02:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, , smart speakers)
Second practice: 05:00-06:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, , smart speakers)
Third practice: 01:30-02:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, , smart speakers)
Qualifying: 05:00-06:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live, , smart speakers)
Race: 04:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live coverage from 03:30, , smart speakers)

New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026?

What is the Melbourne weather forecast?

Last year, Melbourne experienced hot and sunny weather until race day, when rain caused multiple crashes, including rookie Isack Hadjar on the parade lap.

This year, the early forecast predicts sunny conditions throughout the three days, with highs of 21°C and 23°C on Friday and Saturday respectively. The chance of rain is low, and the grand prix on Sunday is expected to be fair with temperatures reaching up to 24°C.

What's new in F1 2026?

Ferrari attracted attention during pre-season testing in Bahrain when their rear wing unexpectedly flipped to an upside-down position.

As the sport embarks on this new chapter, here is a summary of key changes and terminology for the 2026 season:

Cars - shorter, lighter, more agile, and environmentally friendly.
Engines - approximately a 50-50 split between electric and internal combustion power, utilizing fully sustainable fuels.
DRS overtaking aid removed - replaced by "overtake mode," which provides a burst of extra electrical power when a driver is within one second of the car ahead at a detection point, typically at the final corner.
Active aerodynamics - both front and rear wings adjust their angles to reduce drag on straights (straight mode) and increase downforce in corners (corner mode).
Recharge - cars can recover energy during braking, run the engine at high revs in corners, lift off early, and coast at the end of straights or when not at full throttle.

Straight mode zones and Mueller & Schmitz corner

Laura Mueller and Hannah Schmitz are the first women to have an F1 circuit corner named after them.

With the introduction of moveable aerodynamics, each circuit will now feature 'straight mode zones' on its map, replacing the previous DRS detection points, to indicate when the active wings engage.

At Albert Park, the four former DRS zones have been expanded to five straight mode zones, with overtake mode activation and detection points located at the end of the lap at Turns 13 and 14.

Additionally, to commemorate International Women's Day on Sunday, the right-hander at Turn Six will be named in honor of Haas race engineer Laura Mueller and Red Bull's head of race strategy Hannah Schmitz.

German-born Mueller is the first female race engineer in Formula 1 and is entering her second season working with French driver Esteban Ocon.

Briton Schmitz has played a crucial role in Red Bull's recent championship successes, with her strategic decisions contributing to many wins and podium finishes.