Formula 1’s new-look car makes its racing debut at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. You’ll be able to concentrate even more than usual on the start itself and the crucial early moments of the 58-lap race, which starts at 4am.
Built according to a completely revamped chassis and aerodynamic rules, the 2026 Challenger also features a revised hybrid engine that places different demands on the driver, including his approach to the start of the race.
Drivers will now have to rev the engine at a higher speed and for a longer period of time before accelerating with the lights off. This is a new requirement that Ferrari has achieved noticeably in practice during testing in Bahrain.
To meet the new high rev requirements, the FIA introduced a new five-second ‘pre-start’ procedure at the end of the formation lap before the usual five red light start sequence begins.
Mercedes, the pre-season favorite, dominated qualifying to lock down the front row of the grid with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli and is theoretically in a position to control Sunday’s race from the front.
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Australian GP qualifying highlights from Albert Park
But could Ferrari’s getaway prove the Scuderia’s ace card as they try to make up for a qualifying session in which Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton seventh?
Leclerc dismissed the prospect of a repeat of the wild volatility seen across the field at last month’s start in Bahrain, but admitted he and Hamilton – whose Ferrari has smaller turbos than its rivals, meaning less time to spin-up – will find it easier than others to get into the “optimal window for the start”.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was left ‘stranded’ on the track before Lewis Hamilton made another successful practice start in his Ferrari.
“The start in Bahrain was a bit chaotic,” said Leclerc, who shares second row with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar. Sky Sports F1.
“I don’t think it will look that way (on Sunday). When everyone is at the optimal time to start, there isn’t that much space between cars.
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Charles Leclerc discusses Ferrari’s advantage over its rivals at the start of the race, before Jenson Button and Martin Brundle preview how things will play out on Sunday.
“It is rather easy for us to initially reach the optimal period.
“I think it may be trickier for other people to get to that optimal window, but if they do everything perfectly, I don’t expect them to have any trouble at all.”
What to expect from the first start of F1 2026?
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“The start will be interesting, they might have five abreast on turn one.
“If you look at the test, (Ferrari) had a big advantage off the line, but it’s not just the start, it’s also the pit stop.
“I think Ferrari, Charles Leclerc will be P1 at the start of the race!”
‘Now even the simplest tasks are challenging.’ – Russell looks at the ‘challenge’ to win.
Mercedes, who swept pole position by almost eight-tenths of a second on Saturday, are clearly the favorites to turn the front-row closure into a first win in the season opener since 2021.
But polesitter Russell said he couldn’t get ahead of himself given how the complexities of the new powerplant could affect drivers’ racing, including pit stops.
““Our goal now is to try to get across the finish line because we honestly don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Russell, who is aiming to win the Australian GP and lead the world championship for the first time.
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George Russell and his Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff were delighted after securing dominant pole in the season opener.
“The simplest things we have dealt with over the years, like pit stops, are now really difficult in every procedure: getting the engine in the right window, revving the turbo enough, not having the battery too low or too high, the race starts, and we see our challenge.
“So I think our goal is just to have a clean weekend. Of course we want to win, we want to get on board, we want to dominate the weekend, but it’s a really long season and we need to get through tomorrow and have a clean race because at any point we could fall and that could be the end of the day.”
Sky Sports F1 Australian GP Schedule
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As Formula 1 enters a new era, Grammy-nominated Tate McRae’s Just Keep Watching will be the new title track for Sky Sports F1 coverage this season and beyond.
Saturday, March 7th
9:45 PM: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8th
12:20 AM: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Build-up to Australian GP: Sunday Grand Prix*
4am: Australian Grand Prix*
6am: Australian GP reaction: checkered flag*
7 AM: Ted’s Note*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Watch every race of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports, starting this Sunday with the Australian Grand Prix. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
