Australian Grand Prix: When and how to watch the 2025 F1 season-opener

The start of the 2025 Formula 1 season has finally arrived and it will be kicking off with the Australian Grand Prix held at Albert Park, Melbourne.

Despite Daniel Ricciardo's exit from F1 during the 2024 season, local fans still have two home heroes to cheer for in McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan, with the latter heading into his rookie season with Alpine. 

Although it's an early start for those watching in Europe, here is everything you need to know to catch the on-track action.

When is the 2025 Australian Grand Prix?

Friday, 14 March

Free Practice 1
Local time: 12:30 - 13:30
GMT: 01:30 - 02:30
PST: 18:30 - 19:30 (Thursday, 13 March)
ET: 21:30 - 22:30 (Thursday, 13 March)
CET: 02:30 - 03:30
CST: 09:30 - 10:30

Free Practice 2
Local time: 16:00 - 17:00
GMT: 05:00 - 06:00
PST: 22:00 - 23:00 (Thursday, 13 March)
ET: 01:00 - 02:00
CET: 06:00 - 07:00
CST: 13:00 - 14:00

Saturday, 15 March

Free Practice 3
Local time: 12:30 - 13:30
GMT: 01:30 - 02:30
PST: 18:30 - 19:30 (Friday, 14 March)
ET: 21:30 - 22:30 (Friday, 14 March)
CET: 02:30 - 03:30
CST: 09:30 - 10:30

Qualifying
Local time: 16:00 - 17:00
GMT: 05:00 - 06:00
PST: 22:00 - 23:00 (Friday, 14 March)
ET: 01:00 - 02:00
CET: 06:00 - 07:00
CST: 13:00 - 14:00

A scenic view of the pit straight at Albert Park

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Sunday, 16 March

Grand Prix
Local time: 15:00
GMT: 04:00
PST: 21:00 (Saturday, 15 March)
ET: 00:00
CET: 05:00
CST: 12:00

How to watch the 2025 Australian Grand Prix

Fans watching the 2025 Australian Grand Prix from the UK can watch via Sky Sports F1 or streaming services such as NowTV. United States viewers can watch through ESPN as well as fuboTV and F1 TV.

Australian fans can access the broadcasts through Fox Sports, Foxtel, and Kayo.

For a full list of F1 broadcasts for each country, visit here.

Australian Grand Prix: Previous winners

Since the first Australian Grand Prix in 1996, Michael Schumacher has been the most successful driver with four wins in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. Following behind the German driver with three Grand Prix wins each are Jenson Button (2009, 2010, and 2012) and Sebastian Vettel (2011, 2017, and 2018).

The most successful driver on the current grid is Lewis Hamilton with two Australian Grand Prix wins in 2008 and 2015.

Australian Grand Prix: Facts to know

When was the first Grand Prix?
The first Australian Grand Prix was held in 1996.

Who holds the lap record?
Charles Leclerc holds the lap record at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit with a time of 1:19.813 during the 2024 F1 season.

Who won the 2024 Australian Grand Prix?
Carlos Sainz, driving for Ferrari at the time, clinched the win at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix just two weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis.