Formula One heads Down Under this week for a trip around Melbourne’s Albert Park in the Australian Grand Prix.
The race, which will make for early morning viewing in the UK on Sunday, is typically one of the harder to predict on the F1 calendar given the street circuit’s unique characteristics.
That said, Red Bull are once again tipped to dominate after Sergio Perez won the second grand prix of 2023 in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago.
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Max Verstappen leads the world championship by a fine margin after recovering from a breakdown in qualifying to finish second, ahead of Fernando Alonso despite the Spaniard’s post-race penalty saga.
Verstappen was quickest in first practice on Friday before Alonso topped a rain-hit FP2. Verstappen then went on to seal pole position despite a surprisingly good fight from Mercedes.
Ferrari could have a good record in Melbourne, having won three of the last four Australian Grands Prix. In fact, this is a circuit Red Bull have not won at since 2011, so set those alarm clocks and prepare for what should be a fascinating race.
When is the F1 Australian Grand Prix?
The F1 Australian Grand Prix takes place today, Sunday, April 2, 2023.
What time is the F1 Australian Grand Prix?
The session schedule for UK fans is as follows (all times BST):
- First pratice: 2.30am, Friday
- Second practice: 6am, Friday
- Third practice: 2.30am, Saturday
- Qualifying: 6am, Saturday
- Race: 6am, Sunday
Who is on pole position for the F1 Australian Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen took pole position for Red Bull. Mercedes driver George Russell joins Verstappen on the front row at Albert Park after producing the second-fastest lap, with Lewis Hamilton to start third.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez will start from the back of the grid after skidding off track and beaching himself in gravel in the first session of qualifying.
F1 Australian Grand Prix prediction
Max Verstappen is almost certain to cruise into the distance in today’s race but the big question is whether the Mercedes can hold off the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso, the Ferrari pair and even Perez.
It would not be a surprise to see the second Red Bull at least near the podium, with it also fascinating who will fare better out of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
1st: Max Verstappen, 2nd: Lewis Hamilton, 3rd: Sergio Perez
How to watch the F1 Australian Grand Prix
TV channel: The whole weekend will be shown live on Sky Sports with coverage of the race starting at 4.30am on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event. Free highlights are on Channel 4 at 12.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can watch live via the Sky Go app.
