The wait is over, F1 is back. After a three-month break, a new season of the Formula 1 World Championship begins this weekend at the Albert Park circuit in Australia.
An F1 more even than ever
This new F1 World Championship is shaping up to be more even than ever. We are entering the final year of the current regulations, in which the team managers have already squeezed the maximum performance out of the cars. At the moment it is completely unknown which teams will fight for the constructors’ championship and which drivers will opt for the individual championship.
McLaren is the favorite after winning the constructors’ championship last season. The team’s progress during the season was as surprising as it was convincing, to the extent that both its main driver and the team itself were slow to realize that they could have been contenders for both titles.
But McLaren is not alone. Ferrari finished the last few races as the best team on the grid, and the arrival of Lewis Hamilton puts the Italians in an optimal position to fight for both world championships. And then there’s Mercedes, who always seem to start championships on the back foot, but are always a contender. We’ll have to see how Russell steps up after Hamilton’s departure.
We mustn’t forget Verstappen: for the first time, Red Bull is not a contender for the constructors’ title, but the Dutchman’s skill cannot be overlooked. He already showed last season that he doesn’t need to have the best car to win a World Championship, and it would be
Alonso and Sainz, two unknowns ahead of the Australian GP
The options of the Spaniards are an unknown that will be revealed this weekend. The Williams of Carlos Sainz was the fastest in the pre-season tests, but the team has already made it clear that they will be far from the front. We will see where and how the Madrid driver adapts to his new team after leaving Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso‘s AMR25 offered mixed sensations in testing, but Aston Martin is optimistic, claiming that the car was not fully exploited during testing in Bahrain. Although it seems likely that he will be fighting for mid-grid positions and that his battle will be for points, it is not out of the question that he could be in the fight for the podium in some races. The Asturian driver is confident he can improve on the AMR24, a disappointment after Aston Martin’s great 2023 campaign.
Where to Watch the F1 World Championship in the USA, UK, and Canada
The 2024 Formula 1 World Championship is back, and fans in the USA, UK, and Canada have several options to follow every race of the season, including the Australian Grand Prix.
In the USA, all Formula 1 races, qualifying sessions, and practice sessions are broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+, with some races also shown on ABC.
In the UK, full coverage is available exclusively on Sky Sports F1, and races can also be streamed on NOW TV with a Sports Pass.
In Canada, Formula 1 is broadcast live on TSN and RDS (French), with streaming available on TSN Direct.
Australian Grand Prix Schedule
USA (Eastern Time – ET)
- Free Practice 1: Thursday, March 13 – 11:30 PM (ET)
- Free Practice 2: Friday, March 14 – 3:00 AM (ET)
- Free Practice 3: Friday, March 14 – 11:30 PM (ET)
- Qualifying: Saturday, March 15 – 3:00 AM (ET)
- Race: Saturday, March 15 – 1:00 AM (ET)
UK (GMT/UTC)
- Free Practice 1: Friday, March 14 – 3:30 AM (GMT)
- Free Practice 2: Friday, March 14 – 7:00 AM (GMT)
- Free Practice 3: Saturday, March 15 – 3:30 AM (GMT)
- Qualifying: Saturday, March 15 – 7:00 AM (GMT)
- Race: Sunday, March 16 – 6:00 AM (GMT)
Canada (Eastern Time – ET)
(Same as USA Eastern Time)
- Free Practice 1: Thursday, March 13 – 11:30 PM (ET)
- Free Practice 2: Friday, March 14 – 3:00 AM (ET)
- Free Practice 3: Friday, March 14 – 11:30 PM (ET)
- Qualifying: Saturday, March 15 – 3:00 AM (ET)
- Race: Saturday, March 15 – 1:00 AM (ET)
How to Watch Australian GP in USA, Canada and UK
- USA: ESPN, ESPN+, ABC
- UK: Sky Sports F1, NOW TV (Sports Pass)
- Canada: TSN, RDS, TSN Direct
Make sure to check local listings for updates and possible time adjustments.