Follow Saturday's Third Practice Session Live from Melbourne
Formula 1 returns to Albert Park for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, with live updates from Saturday's final practice session before qualifying. Stay tuned for all the on-track action and developments as teams fine-tune their machinery ahead of the crucial qualifying round.
Join us for comprehensive live coverage of Saturday's third practice session at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. This final practice opportunity will see all teams and drivers preparing their cars for the high-stakes qualifying session to follow, with engineers making last-minute adjustments and drivers working to build confidence around the challenging Albert Park circuit.
Catch all the key moments, technical insights, and noteworthy performances as the grid takes to the track in what promises to be an eventful session ahead of the qualifying battle.
Original source
Formula1.com
Related Regulations
Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.
Full Regulation Text
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 B1.6.1
General Safety - Pit Lane and Track Discipline
Chapter: ARTICLE B1: ORGANISATION OF A COMPETITION
In Simple Terms
The safety rules for the pit lane and on the track are basically the same whether it's a practice session, qualifying, or the actual race. The only exceptions are when the sporting rules specifically say something different for certain sessions.
- Pit lane safety rules apply equally across all session types (practice, qualifying, sprint, race)
- Track discipline standards remain consistent unless the Sporting Regulations specify otherwise
- No special exemptions exist for lower-pressure sessions like free practice
- Drivers must follow the same safety protocols regardless of session importance
Official FIA Text
Pit Lane and track discipline and safety measures same for free practice, qualifying, sprint qualifying and sprint session as for Race, unless Sporting Regulations require otherwise.
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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