2026 F1 Season Opens in Melbourne with Record 11 Teams on the Grid
The 2026 Formula 1 season will kick off in Australia, with the Grand Prix set to take place in Melbourne. Despite ongoing travel disruptions in the Middle East, organisers confirm the event will proceed as planned. Eleven teams and 22 drivers are expected to compete, marking the largest field in recent years.
The season opener begins on Friday with FP1 and FP2 under cloudy skies. Temperatures will hover around 22°C, with light winds of 10 to 15 km/h and a slight 10% chance of rain. Fans and teams will face cooler conditions on Saturday, as temperatures drop to 20°C and winds strengthen to 15 to 25 km/h, though rain remains unlikely at just 4%.
Sunday will bring the warmest weather of the weekend, reaching 25°C with gentle breezes of 10 to 15 km/h. The forecast shows minimal rain risk, ensuring dry racing conditions for the main event.
This year's grid expands to 11 teams, including newcomers Cadillac and Audi, which took over Sauber's operations. Veteran drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez return, while rookie Arvid Lindblad makes his debut. However, Aston Martin may scale back participation due to delays in car preparation, potentially limiting their full involvement.
Travis Auld, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix, reassured fans that Middle East travel issues would not disrupt the event. The race remains on schedule, with all teams expected to arrive in Melbourne as planned.
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix will feature the largest team lineup in years, despite potential setbacks for Aston Martin. With stable weather and no major logistical hurdles, the season opener is set to run smoothly. Fans can look forward to three days of competitive racing in Melbourne.
