The 2026 Formula 1 season will again commence at Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park, following the official release of next year’s racing calendar.

Opening the Formula 1 calendar for a second-consecutive year, next year’s Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix will take place from 5 – 8 March, after record crowds attended the event earlier this year.

The hard-working and crucial officials required to make the Australian Grand Prix possible will also be in attendance for next year’s event, with the 2026 event will again see close to 1,000 Motorsport Australia volunteers working trackside earlier this year.

Motorsport Australia’s General Manager of Motorsport Development Darren Tindal spoke of his gratitude to the volunteers who attend the event each and every year.

“Motorsport Australia officials are one of the most important parts of the Australian Grand Prix,” Tindal said.

“From track marshals to flag marshals, recovery marshals and fire marshals, it is a team effort that makes such an important event on the Australian calendar both successful and safe.”

Further announcements regarding officials participation will be announced shortly. In the meantime, head to the Motorsport Australia website to find out more about how to become an official.

Head to motorsport.org.au/officials to find out more about becoming an official.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld said the highly anticipated fixture release will set in motion preparations for next year’s race, including next steps on how Formula 1 fans can get their tickets.

“The Formula 1 calendar announcement is always an exciting moment, and in the coming weeks we will be sharing on-sale dates for tickets to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026, which we know will be eagerly anticipated,” Auld said.

“There is something special about being the first race of the season, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with hundreds of thousands of fans once again in 2026.”

Estimated attendance tallied 465,498 race-goers in 2025, building on increased numbers across 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Expanded fan activations and events, namely the inaugural and free F1 Melbourne Fan Festival, provided motorsport enthusiasts the opportunity to meet drivers such as Oscar Piastri, who continues to lead the 2025 Driver’s Championship leaderboard thanks to his standout season with McLaren.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos expressed the Victorian Government’s excitement ahead of next year’s Formula 1 season opener.

“This year’s Grand Prix was bigger and better than ever. Not just in terms of the record attendance at Albert Park, but new events like the F1 Melbourne Fan Festival that helped make the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix one of the most memorable in recent years,” Hon. Steve Dimopoulos said.

“The Allan Labor Government is excited to lock in the dates for next year’s race and get to work on another unforgettable event that brings even more visitors from around the world to Melbourne.”

On the grid, the Australian Grand Prix affords spectators the chance to see new driver pairings in action for the first time.

Cadillac will make its debut as Formula 1’s 11th team, alongside Audi, which is expected to take over the reins of Sauber as a new team and power unit manufacturer.

For more information on the 2026 Australian Grand Prix and upcoming ticket announcements, head to www.grandprix.com.au