How to Watch Melbourne Round 1: TV, Session Times and more

Formula 2 is back and we are kicking the season off Down Under in Melbourne, Australia with the opening round of the 2026 Championship.

22 drivers are striving to become the next F2 Champion and follow in the footsteps of Leonardo Fornaroli, but who will come out on top?

The answer to that question begins to be answered this weekend, as we race for the first time in 2026. Here are all the session times, TV information and updates you need to follow all of the action.

SESSION START TIMES

The first Feature Race of 2026 gets underway at 11:25 local time (+11UTC) on Sunday in Melbourne. For a full rundown of the weekend’s action, see the below for your local start time.

PRACTICE

Free Practice begins at 10:00 Local Time on Friday (+11UTC).

QUALIFYING

Qualifying also takes place on Friday, with the green light scheduled for 14:55 Local Time (+11UTC).

SPRINT RACE

FEATURE RACE

TV COVERAGE

For details of broadcasters in your area, click here.
To find out what time you can watch all the action from Melbourne, click here.

F1TV

Every Formula 2 session is available via F1TV live and as they happen. Practice and Qualifying take place on Friday, with the Sprint Race taking place on Saturday and the weekend rounded out with the Feature Race on Sunday.

For more information on subscribing to F1 TV you can click here.
F1 TV Pro and Premium are available in selected locations only.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Keep up to date on the move and on your preferred device of choice with our Official Formula 2 social media accounts.

Whether you’re on Instagram, TikTok, X or Facebook, all of the news and behind-the-scenes content will be available via our channels through the entire race weekend in Australia. Links to these channels can be found here:

WEBSITE

For all the latest news from Down Under, make sure you’re following the official website across the weekend.

From session reports on the chequered flag as well as reaction and interviews with teams and drivers, the F2 website has you covered for all your needs across the 2026 campaign, starting with Round 1 in Melbourne.

Next Up