Melbourne Ready for Action: Follow Friday's Opening Practice Session Live
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix gets underway with live coverage of the inaugural practice session taking place in Melbourne on Friday. Teams and drivers will hit the track for the first time this weekend to begin their preparations for the race ahead.
The opening round of track activity for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix is set to commence with live coverage of Friday's first practice session in Melbourne. Follow along as the grid's finest drivers and teams take to the circuit during this crucial opening stint of the weekend, gathering vital data and fine-tuning their machinery ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.
Original source
Formula1.com
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article B2.1.2
Free Practice Sessions - Alternative Format
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
On the first day of track running at a Grand Prix weekend, teams get one practice session called FP1 that lasts for 1 hour. This gives drivers and teams a chance to familiarize themselves with the track, test their cars, and gather data before the more important qualifying and race sessions.
- FP1 is held on the first day of track running
- Session duration is exactly 1 hour
- Used for initial setup testing and track familiarization
- Alternative format option for weekend structure
Official FIA Text
One 1-hour free practice session (FP1) on first day of track running.
Article B2.1.3
Free Practice Session Classification
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
Free Practice sessions are ranked based on each driver's fastest single lap time. The driver with the quickest lap gets first place, the second quickest gets second place, and so on down the grid.
- Classification is based solely on fastest lap time achieved during the session
- Drivers are ranked from fastest to slowest
- Only the single best lap for each driver counts toward the classification
- Free Practice results do not affect the actual race grid positions
Official FIA Text
Classification determined by fastest lap time set by each driver, with fastest in first position, second fastest in second position, and so on.
Article B1.6.4
General Safety - Track Access Restrictions
Chapter: ARTICLE B1: ORGANISATION OF A COMPETITION
In Simple Terms
The track and pit areas are restricted zones during specific times around practice, qualifying, and races. Only drivers, official team members, and authorized personnel are allowed in these areas to keep everyone safe and prevent interference with the competition.
- No unauthorized access to track, pit entry, or pit exit during 15 minutes before and 5 minutes after practice/qualifying sessions
- Restricted access continues from the formation lap until cars enter parc fermé (final technical inspection area)
- Only drivers, team personnel with specific permissions, and authorized officials are exempt from these restrictions
- Restrictions exist to maintain safety and prevent unauthorized interference with racing operations
Official FIA Text
During 15 minutes before to 5 minutes after practice/qualifying and between formation lap and parc fermé, no one on track/pit entry/pit exit except authorized personnel, drivers, and team personnel with specific permissions.
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