F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025: Race Schedule, Indian Timings, Where To Watch And More

Formula 1 is set to kick off the 2025 season with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 14 to 16. Teams have spent the off-season refining their cars, and the first true test is just days away.

The race weekend begins on Friday, March 14, with the first two practice sessions. March 15 (Saturday) will feature the final practice session followed by an intense qualifying round, leading up to the main race on Sunday, March 16.

Free practice sessions (FP1, FP2, FP3)

• FP1: March 14 – 12:30 pm AEDT (7 am IST)

• FP2: March 14 – 4 pm AEDT (10:30 am IST)

• FP3: March 15 – 12:30 pm AEDT (7 am IST)

Qualifying

• March 15: 4 pm AEDT (10:30 am IST)

Main race

• March 16: 3 pm AEDT (9:30 am IST)

Fans in India can catch the live action of the Australian Grand Prix on FanCode and F1TV.

The Australian Grand Prix will take place at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, a track built around a lake in the city’s inner suburbs. While it offers high-speed racing, overtaking remains a challenge due to its layout. This marks the first time since 2019 that Australia will host the season opener. For Max Verstappen, Albert Park holds bitter memories from 2024, when a fiery mechanical failure forced him to retire on just the fourth lap.

• First Grand Prix: 1996

• Number of laps: 58

• Circuit length: 5.278 km

• Race distance: 306.124 km

• Lap record: 1:19.813 by Charles Leclerc in 2024

All eyes will be on Max Verstappen, who is aiming for his fifth title. If successful, he will join an elite group of just three other drivers with five or more championships, including Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren’s Lando Norris is also eager to stake his claim on the championship after finishing second last year.

The spotlight will also be on Lewis Hamilton, who is making his debut with Ferrari.

• 5: Max Verstappen is chasing his fifth consecutive world title, a feat only achieved by Michael Schumacher.

• 8: Lewis Hamilton is aiming for a historic eighth world title, which would surpass Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record.

• 24: The 2025 season features a 24-race calendar, equalling last year’s record for the longest F1 season. The Australian Grand Prix marks the opening round of this campaign.

• McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

• Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

• Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson

• Mercedes: George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli

• Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

• Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan

• Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman

• Racing Bulls: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar

• Williams: Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz

• Sauber: Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg

• 2024: Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari

• 2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull

• 2022: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

• 2021 and 2020: not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

• 2019: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

• 2018: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari