Formula 1’s new-look vehicles make their racing debut within the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday – with much more focus than regular set to be on the beginning itself and the essential early moments of the 58-lap race from 4am.
The 2026 challengers, which have been constructed to completely-overhauled chassis and aerodynamic guidelines, additionally function revised hybrid engines which place totally different calls for on drivers – together with the method to the beginning of races.
Drivers now should rev their engines greater, and for longer earlier than accelerating away at ‘lights out’ – a brand new requirement which Ferrari noticeably aced in observe starts throughout Bahrain testing.
To account for the brand new high-revving necessities, a brand new five-second ‘pre-start’ process has been launched by the FIA on the finish of the formation lap earlier than the same old five-red-lights beginning sequence begins.
Pre-season championship favourites Mercedes dominated qualifying to lock out the grid’s entrance row with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli and are theoretically in place to management Sunday’s race from the entrance.
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Qualifying highlights for the Australian GP from Albert Park
But might Ferrari’s getaways show an ace card for the Scuderia as they bid to make up for a qualifying session which noticed Charles Leclerc qualify fourth and Lewis Hamilton seventh?
Leclerc performed down the prospect of a repeat of the wild variability seen by means of the sector within the starts in Bahrain final month however did admit that he and Hamilton – whose Ferraris includes a smaller turbo than rivals, which takes much less time to spin up – will discover it simpler to get within the “optimal window for the start” than others.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was left ‘stranded’ on the observe earlier than Lewis Hamilton as soon as once more aced the observe begin in his Ferrari
“It was a bit chaotic, the start in Bahrain,” Leclerc, who shares row two with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, advised Sky Sports F1.
“I do not assume it can appear like that [on Sunday]. When all people is of their optimum window for the beginning, there’s not that a lot between the vehicles.
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Charles Leclerc discusses whether or not Ferrari have a bonus over their rivals on the race begin, earlier than Jenson Button and Martin Brundle preview how issues might play out on Sunday
“It’s kind of easy for us to reach that optimal window for the start.
“I imagine it is tougher for others to attain that optimum window, so it may be extra tough for them. But in the event that they do every part excellent, I do not anticipate them to wrestle in any respect.”
What to anticipate from F1 2026’s first begin?
Sky Sports F1’s Jenson Button:
“The start is going to be exciting. They could be five abreast into Turn One.
“Looking at testing, [Ferrari] had an enormous benefit off the road. But it isn’t simply [about] the beginning, it is the pit stops too.
“I reckon Ferrari, Charles Leclerc will be P1 at the start of the race!”
‘Now the most straightforward issues are difficult’ – Russell sees ‘challenges’ in bid for win
After sweeping to pole place on Saturday by nearly eight tenths of a second, Mercedes are clearly the massive favourites to convert their front-row lockout into what could be a primary victory in a season-opener since 2021.
But polesitter Russell stated he was not getting forward of himself given how the complexity of the brand new energy items might impression a driver’s race – together with, even, in pit stops.
“The goal for us right now is to just try and make the finish line because we honestly don’t know what’s going to happen,” stated Russell, aiming to win the Australian GP and lead the world championship for the primary time.
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George Russell and his Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff have been thrilled after securing a dominant pole within the season opener
“The most simple things that we’ve been dealing with over the past years, such as pit stops, are now really challenging with all the procedures, getting the engine in the right window, the turbo speed spinning enough, the battery not too low but not too high, race starts, we’ve seen our challenge.
“So, I believe the objective for us was simply to have a clear weekend. Of course we would like to win, we would like to be on board, we would like to dominate the weekend, however it’s a very lengthy season and we want to get by means of tomorrow and simply have a clear race as a result of at any level you may stumble and that could possibly be the tip of your day.”
Sky Sports F1’s Australian GP schedule
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As Formula 1 enters a brand new period, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Just Keep Watching will turn into the brand new title observe for Sky Sports’ F1 protection this season and past
Saturday March 7
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch each race of the 2026 Formula 1 season stay on Sky Sports, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from this Sunday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
