Twilight Supercar races confirmed for Albert Park

The full timetable of the season-opening F1 race weekend has now been confirmed, and, as expected, a pair of twilight Supercars race highlight the support bill as the series competes for points at Albert Park for the first time.

The two 25-lap long format races will both be run in the evening, the first scheduled for 5:50pm on the Friday, directly after the second F1 practice session, and the second at 6:20pm on Saturday, following F1 qualifying.

The shorter 13-lap races are set for 12:40pm on Saturday and 1:45pm on Sunday, the latter leading into the Australian Grand Prix.

“The twilight time slot works well for our television audience as well as fans at the track, who will get to see our first points races at Albert Park in perfect conditions,” said acting Supercars CEO Shane Howard.

“To participate fully as a round of our championship in Melbourne with 400 kilometres of racing across three days, which includes pitstops, is a huge win for our fans, teams and our drivers.

“It is an honour to be alongside Formula 1 at Albert Park and as an official support category to the world’s premiere form of motorsport.”

As previously reported, the Australian Grand Prix will kick off at 4:10pm on Sunday March 25, as part of the general shake-up of weekend schedules.

It will follow Friday practice sessions at 12pm and 4pm on Friday, final practice at 2pm on Saturday, and qualifying at 5pm on Saturday.

Unlike previous years, Victoria won't be subjected to a time change during the AGP weekend, with Daylight Savings set to end the week after the race.

Race day is, however, the start of Daylight Savings in both the UK and Europe.

Australian Grand Prix Timetable

Thursday, 22 March
10:30am: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Practice 1
11.50am: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Qualifying 1
12.20pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup – Practice 1
12:50pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Practice 1
1:30pm: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Practice 2
2.05pm: MSS Security Ultimate Speed Comparison Practice
2.40pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Practice 2
3.20pm: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Qualifying 2
3.50pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia – Qualifying
4.20pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Qualifying Session Part 1 (for Race 1 grid)
4.40pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Qualifying Session Part 2 (for Race 2 grid)
5pm: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli – Asia Pacific – Practice 3
5.35pm: MSS Security Ultimate Speed Comparison #1
6pm: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Race 1 (11 laps)
6.40pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia – Race 1 (10 laps)

Friday, 23 March
9.25am: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Split Qualifying Section 1
9.45am: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Split Qualifying Section 2
10.45am: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Race 2 (10 laps)
12pm: Formula 1 – Practice 1
1.50pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Qualifying Session Part 3 (for Race 3 grid)
2.10pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Qualifying Session Part 4 (for Race 4 grid)
2.30pm: MSS Security Ultimate Speed Comparison #2
2.55pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia – Race 2 (10 laps)
4pm: Formula 1 – Practice 2
5.50pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Race 1 (25 laps)

Saturday, 24 March
10.45am: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Race 1 (10 laps)
12pm: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Race 3 (11 laps)
12.40pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Race 2 (13 laps)
2pm: Formula 1 – Practice 3
3.20pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia – Race 3 (10 laps)
4pm: MSS Security Ultimate Speed Comparison #3
5pm: Formula 1 Qualifying
6.20pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Race 3 (25 laps)

Sunday, 25 March
10.50am: Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific – Race 2 (10 laps)
11.30am: MSS Security Ultimate Speed Comparison #4
12pm: CAMS Australian GT Championship – Race 4 (11 laps)
1.05pm: Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia – Race 4 (10 laps)
1.45pm: Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400 – Race 4 (13 laps)
4.10pm – 6.10pm: Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix (58 laps or 120 min)