In exactly one week, the starting lights will go out at Albert Park, meaning Formula 1 is gearing up for the third round of the championship, the Australian Grand Prix.
After the first two rounds in 2024, it has become clear that Red Bull Racing once again has the fastest car. The Austrian team has one and two wins to its name and Max Verstappen managed to win both matches. However, there is still a lot that happened in Jeddah. Debutant Oliver Biermann was able to score high and eventually crossed the line in seventh place. The Briton took over the seat from Carlos Sainz, who had the first two free practice sessions at the weekend, but was replaced due to acute appendicitis.
Albert Park Circuit
Since 1985, the Australian Grand Prix has been a regular stop on the calendar. Only in 2020 and 2021 did the first class visit and that had to do with the pandemic. Until 1995, Formula 1 traveled to Adelaide, but from the following year the Albert Park circuit became the venue where the Grand Prix was held. In 2022, the track has been modified here and there, including the removal of Turn 8. This made the lap around the circuit much faster. The lap (race) record is in the name of Sergio Perez. The Mexican recorded a 1:20.235 in 2023. The circuit is 5.278 kilometers long and includes two DRS zones. 58 laps will be held during the race.
Preliminary weather forecast
It has become apparent many times in the past that Melbourne can be haunted at times. A first look at the weather forecast for next weekend tells us there's a good chance it will be very stormy next weekend. Rain is expected over the three days of the race, with heavy rain likely on Saturday in particular. Forty percent rain is also expected on Sunday. If it does rain during the sessions, it could get very chaotic at Albert Park.
Drivers' Championship
Contractor classifications
| Building | a result |
| 1. Red Bull Racing | 87 points |
| 2. Ferrari | 49 points |
| 3. McLaren | 28 points |
| 4. Mercedes | 26 points |
| 5. Aston Martin | 13 points |
| 6. Hare | 1 point |
| 7. Williams | 0 points |
| 8. Sauber Kick | 0 points |
| 9. R.B | 0 points |
| 10. Alps | 0 points |
Australian Grand Prix
Next weekend is a holiday for early or late birds. These will be night sessions for us in the Netherlands. The first free training will take place on Friday morning at 2:30 am. The second training can be watched at 6:00 AM while enjoying a cup of coffee. The last free practice on Saturday will begin at 2:30 a.m. and at 6:00 a.m. the field will prepare for qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. The race will start at five in the morning.
Schedule overview
Friday 22 March
2:30 AM: First free practice
06:00: Second free practice
Saturday 23 March
02:30: Third free practice
06:00: Eligible
Sunday 24 March
05:00: Australian Grand Prix
