The wait is over. Formula 1 lifts the curtain on a new season with the traditional Australian Grand Prix, a race that in recent years has become one of the most spectacular on the calendar.

The Australian track is one of the most recognizable in the championship. It is a 5.3-kilometer semi-urban circuit with 16 turns and a race spanning 58 laps, totaling just over 307 kilometers. Its mix of high-speed straights and technical sections makes it a demanding track for both drivers and engineers, especially due to tire wear and overtaking opportunities.

Since 1996, the race has been held in Melbourne, with the most successful drivers on the circuit being Michael Schumacher and Lex Davidson. The last five editions have been quite varied: Lando Norris won in 2025, Carlos Sainz Jr. in 2024, Max Verstappen in 2023, and Charles Leclerc in 2022, demonstrating just how unpredictable this circuit can be. Here, practically anyone can win.

A Season of Major Changes

This season brings significant changes to the category. Formula 1 is entering a new technical era that will consolidate over the coming years, with lighter cars, greater emphasis on electric power in the power units, and the use of 100% sustainable fuels—all aimed at improving the spectacle and moving toward a more sustainable championship.

It is also worth noting that, this season, DRS has been eliminated—a controversial move that promises to make the competition even more thrilling. To compensate, the FIA has introduced several new features: Overtake Mode, which provides additional electric power for overtaking; the Boost Button, allowing the driver to activate maximum power to defend or attack; and finally, Recharge, which recovers electric energy during the lap.

There are even new teams. Cadillac joins the grid with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, both returning to the pinnacle of motorsport. Without a doubt, this season promises plenty of stories and fierce battles on the track.

Ferrari and McLaren Set the Pace in Practice

For this race, the free practice sessions at Albert Park Circuit already gave the first clues about how the teams are performing and who could take the win in Australia. In the first practice, Ferrari made a strong statement with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton dominating the asphalt. Of course, it remains to be seen how they evolve for qualifying, as Max Verstappen also showed good pace, along with young Isack Hadjar, who surprised everyone with his performance in Red Bull.

In the second practice, things got even more serious, with Oscar Piastri flying in Melbourne, followed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, demonstrating that Mercedes has a competitive car and that McLaren remains one of the strongest teams.

The practice sessions suggest a very tight grid, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes highly competitive, while Red Bull waits for the right moment to strike. Additionally, the local factor could play in favor of Piastri, who dreams of becoming the first Australian to win in Melbourne.

If Friday’s pace holds, the pole position could come from Ferrari or McLaren, but the race promises a very open battle.

The question remains: who will come out on top in Australia?

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