The Formula One world is about to descend on Melbourne and the city is buzzing for one of the biggest weekends on the sporting calendar
Not only will the likes of Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton be gracing the city with their presence but so too will the stars of the Supercars competition.
Albert Park has transformed into a petrol head’s dream. The barriers are up, chicanes in place and pitlane is ready for action ahead of what will be the fastest ever Australian Grand Prix.
Last season saw significant changes to the Australian track with turns 1, 3, 6 and 13 all widened which the chicane at 9-10 was removed allowing for more straight line speed.
The biggest change for this year will be the addition of a fourth DRS zone between Turns 6 and 11.
“You’ve got the evolution of the cars from last year, and they’ve obviously got better, and the fourth DRS zone means the cars will be quicker around the back of the circuit,” Australian Grand Prix chief Andrew Westacott said.
“Which will obviously increase speed and therefore lap time and make it the quickest Grand Prix and the highest average speed ever in Melbourne.”
Home favourite Daniel Ricciardo will watch this year’s race form the side having joined Red Bull as a reserve driver for 2023.
The Aussie interest will divert to Oscar Piastri who, in his rookie season, is facing a hell of a fight in a terrible looking McLaren.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX
MARCH 31-APRIL 2
ROUND 3
GATE TIMES
Thursday: open 9.30am; close 7.30pm.
Friday: open 8.30am; close 7.30pm.
Saturday: open 8.30am; close 7.30pm.
Sunday: open 8.30am; close 6pm.
THE SEASON SO FAR
R1 BAHRAIN
1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2nd Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
3rd Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
20th Oscar Piastri (McLaren, DNF)
R2 SAUDI ARABIA
1st Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
2nd Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3rd Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
15th Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
HOW THE DRIVERS STAND
1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 44
2 Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 43
3 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 30
4 Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 20
5 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 20
6 George Russell (Mercedes) 20
7 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 8
8 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 6
9 Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) 4
10 Esteban Ocon (Alpine) 4
11 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 4
12 Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1
13 Alexander Albon (Williams) 1
14 Yuki Tsunoda (Alphatauri) 0
15 Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) 0
16 Logan Sargeant (Williams) 0
17 Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) 0
18 Nyck De Vries (Alphatauri) 0
19 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 0
20 Lando Norris (McLaren) 0
RECENT WINNERS
2022 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2021 No race (Covid)
2020 No race (Covid)
2019 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
2018 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
2017 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
HOW TO WATCH
All live Formula One coverage in Australia is on Fox Sports, available via Foxtel and Kayo, with every practice, qualifying and race live and ad-free during racing.
Live HD streaming is on Kayo Sports, available with a seven-day free trial for new customers.
This includes the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, which will have every session of racing across the weekend shown live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo Sports, as well as a Grand Prix Sunday special starting from 1.30pm.
HOW TO GET TO THE TRACK
Public transport is the easiest way to travel to the circuit, with free tram services for
ticketholders on event days running from Southern Cross Station for Gates 1, 2 and 3, and
from Flinders Street Station for Gates 5, 8 and 9. Both stations will have Yarra Trams
ambassadors on site to help fans find their way to the event.
Throughout the weekend, trams will run every 1-2 minutes during peak times.
An express bus service will also depart from Whiteman Street at Crown Casino to Gates 1, 2
and 3.
Originally published as F1 Australian Grand Prix 2023: Time, tickets, schedule, supercars, TV stream information