The Australian Grand Prix returns to Albert Park this weekend, with two local stars on the grid for the first time in over a decade.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and RB’s Daniel Ricciardo will be vying for points when the motorsports world’s eyes descend on Melbourne for the highly-anticipated third round of the season.
A record 444,631 fans attended last year’s Australian GP, making it Melbourne’s highest attended weekend sporting event in history.
However, spectators will be banned from entering the track and pitlane this year amid a safety shake up, with fines of up to $17,307 in place, according to The Herald Sun. Any fan caught on the track will be evicted from the venue and banned from future events.
It comes after a large group of spectators broke the security lines last year and accessed the track while the race was still ongoing, while another fan was left bloodied by flying debris.
During last year’s event, drivers complained about the sun getting in their eyeline towards the end of the race. However, that won’t be a concern on Sunday, with the race occurring a week before daylight savings end, meaning the event essentially kicks off an hour earlier than last year.
The 58-lap race gets underway on Sunday at 3pm AEDT.
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Internal Red Bull war still simmering | 01:32
SESSION TIMES (all times local)
Friday, March 22
12.30pm-1.30pm: F1 Practice 1
2pm – 2pm: Formula 3 Qualifying
4pm-5pm: F1 Practice 2
5.30pm – 6pm: Formula 2 Qualifying
Saturday, March 23
11.15am – 12pm: Formula 3 Sprint Race
12.30pm-1.30pm: F1 Practice 3
2.15pm – 3.05pm: Formula 2 Sprint Race
4pm-5pm: F1 Qualifying
Sunday, March 24
9.05am – 9.50am: Formula 3 Feature Race
11.35am – 12.35pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
1pm-1.30pm- F1 drivers’ parade
3pm-6pm: F1 race (58 laps)
HOW TO WATCH
The entire Australian Grand Prix, including every practice, qualifying and race, can be watched live and ad-break free on Foxtel and streaming platform Kayo.
Sunday’s race will be broadcast free-to-air on Channel 10 and streaming service 10 Play.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
There was utter chaos at last year’s Australian Grand Prix, which saw three red flags and a dramatic conclusion as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed victory.
After Haas’ Kevin Magnussen crashed out, a standing start with two laps left created a remarkable and chaotic dash to the finish. Four cars crashed out, with the two Aston Martins and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also impacted, while Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton stayed safe at the front.
It was decided to set the order as it was before the lap 57 restart, except with the crashed cars removed, meaning Verstappen won ahead of Hamilton and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
‘Another frustrating night for Ricciardo | 00:27
PAST WINNERS
2023 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2022 – Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2021 – No race due to Covid-19 pandemic
2020 – No race due to Covid-19 pandemic
2019 – Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
2018 – Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2017 – Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2016 — Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2015 — Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 — Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2013 — Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus-Renault
2012 — Jenson Button, McLaren
2011 — Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2010 — Jenson Button, McLaren
2009 — Jenson Button, Brawn
2008 — Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2007 — Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
2006 — Fernando Alonso, Renault
2024 DRIVERS’ STANDINGS
1st – Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 51
2nd – Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 36
3rd – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 28
4th – George Russell (Mercedes), 18
5th – Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 16
6th – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 15
7th – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 12
8th – Lando Norris (McLaren), 12
9th – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 8
10th – Oliver Bearman (Ferrari), 6
11th – Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), 1
12th – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 1
Yet to score points – Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Daniel Ricciardo (RB), Logan Sargeant (Williams), Zhou Guanyu (Sauber), Valtteri Bottas (Sauber), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Alex Albon (Williams)
2024 CONSTRUCTORS’ STANDINGS
1st – Red Bull, 87
2nd – Ferrari, 49
3rd – McLaren, 28
4th – Mercedes, 26
5th – Ashton Martin, 13
6th – Haas, 1
7th – Williams, 0
8th – Sauber, 0
9th – RB, 0
10th – Alpine, 0