When is the F1 Australian Grand Prix and how can I watch it?

After a long winter break, competitive Formula 1 track action finally gets underway this weekend for the season-opening 2019 Australian Grand Prix. 

An air of excitement and anticipation always surrounds the Melbourne race, with plenty of questions set to be answered in a season that promises to be one of intrigue and excitement. 

Ferrari heads to Australia having been earmarked as the early favourites by chief rivals Mercedes and Red Bull following the Scuderia’s strong fortnight of pre-season testing. The Italian squad has claimed the first wins of the last two campaigns, with Sebastian Vettel beating Lewis Hamilton on both occasions. 

There are plenty of stories to follow in Australia, with the likes of Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo making their grand prix debuts for Ferrari and Renault respectively, while a first glimpse of the 2019 pecking order will finally be provided. 

When is the Australian Grand Prix? 

The 2019 Australian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday March 17. Cars will hit the track for the first time during FP1 and FP2 on Friday, before final practice and qualifying continues on Saturday. 

Where is the Australian Grand Prix taking place? 

The Australian Grand Prix is held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park, Melbourne. The track is 5.303km long and comprises of 16 turns, with the race set to last 58 laps. 

Where can I watch the Australian Grand Prix?

The 2019 Australian Grand Prix is being shown exclusively live on Sky Sports (UK only). 

Friday March 15

LIVE Australian GP FP1 - Sky Sports F1, 12.30am 

LIVE Australian GP FP2 - Sky Sports F1, 4.45am 

Saturday March 16

LIVE Australian GP FP3 - Sky Sports F1,  2.45am

LIVE Australian GP Qualifying - Sky Sports F1, 5am

Sunday March 17

LIVE Australian GP Pitlane Live - Sky Sports F1, 3.30am

LIVE Australian GP On The Grid - Sky Sports F1, 4.15am

LIVE Australian GP Race - Sky Sports F1, 5.10am 

How else can I follow the 2019 Australian Grand Prix? 

Besides the TV coverage, Crash.net will be reporting on the season-opener with live text commentary from all sessions, plus the usual news, interviews and features. Updates will also be posted to Crash.net's F1 Twitter account (@Crash_NET_F1)

Recent Australian Grand Prix F1 Winners: 

2018: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2017: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2016: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2013: Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus
2012: Jenson Button, McLaren 
2011: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2010: Jenson Button, McLaren
2009: Jenson Button, Brawn

Where can I watch Formula 1 in 2019? 

ALL F1 races, qualifying and practice sessions will be shown exclusively LIVE on Sky Sports F1 in the UK during 2019 - barring the British Grand Prix, which will be dual-broadcast with Channel 4. C4 will instead provide a comprehensive highlights package across the season. 

17 March Australian Grand Prix
31 March Bahrain Grand Prix
14 April Chinese Grand Prix 
28 April Azerbaijan Grand Prix
12 May Spanish Grand Prix 
26 May Monaco Grand Prix 
9 June Canadian Grand Prix 
23 June French Grand Prix 
30 June Austrian Grand Prix 
14 July British Grand Prix 
28 July German Grand Prix 
4 August Hungarian Grand Prix 
1 September Belgian Grand Prix 
8 September Italian Grand Prix 
22 September Singapore Grand Prix
29 September Russian Grand Prix 
13 October Japanese Grand Prix 
27 October Mexican Grand Prix 
3 November United States Grand Prix
17 November Brazilian Grand Prix 
1 December Abu Dhabi Grand Prix