Australian Grand Prix 2024: A Guide to the Formula 1 Race at Albert Park

The 2024 Australian Grand Prix

The 2024 Australian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, March 24, at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia.

The race will be the third on the Formula 1 schedule and is expected to attract a large crowd of fans. Last year, over 450,000 people attended the event.

The Circuit

The Albert Park Circuit is a 3.280-mile, 14-turn circuit that runs around Albert Park Lake. The circuit is a mix of a street course and a permanent racetrack, with high-speed areas and safety runoffs.

The Drivers

Max Verstappen is the three-time defending world champion and is the heavy favorite to win the 2024 Australian Grand Prix. He will be challenged by Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

The Race

The Australian Grand Prix will be a 58-lap race. The race will start at 3pm AEDT on Sunday, March 24.

How to Watch

The Australian Grand Prix will be televised live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

The Schedule

The full schedule for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix is as follows:

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)

The History

The Australian Grand Prix has been held at Albert Park since 1996, with Michael Schumacher winning the inaugural race. The race has been won by a variety of drivers over the years, including Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Räikkönen.

The Future

The Australian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the Formula 1 calendar. The race is expected to continue to attract a large crowd of fans in the years to come.

The Radical Tyre Move

Pirelli has made a radical call for this weekend’s action. For the first time this season, drivers will be able to use the C5 compound – the softest compound available from the tyre manufacturer.

They can also use the C4 and C3 compounds.

Remarkably, the safest compound available hasn’t been used at a Grand Prix since 2022 – also in Melbourne. But that year, they brought the C2 and C3 compound as well, instead of this year’s C4.