The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to begin under the lights in Melbourne, Australia, at the Albert Park circuit. Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will be among the drivers vying for points, piloting his Alpine alongside established stars like reigning champion Lando Norris and four-time world champion Max Verstappen. For fans in Argentina, understanding the horarios del entrenamiento y clasificación, and knowing how and where to watch the action, is key to following this exciting start to the season.
The Albert Park circuit will host the opening Grand Prix, and the schedule presents a unique challenge for Argentine viewers due to the significant time difference. Most sessions, including practice, qualifying, and the race itself, will take place during the overnight hours in Argentina. This pattern will continue in the early stages of the championship, with races scheduled in China and Japan also presenting similar viewing difficulties. The 14-hour difference between Argentina and Oceania necessitates late-night viewing for dedicated fans.
Colapinto’s Debut Season and Alpine’s Preparations
This season marks a significant milestone for Franco Colapinto, as it’s the first time he will begin a Formula 1 season from the particularly start. His initial foray into F1 came in August 2024, stepping in for Logan Sargeant at Williams, and he continued to gain experience last year, substituting for Jack Doohan at Alpine. Now, Colapinto arrives in Australia having completed a full pre-season program, a crucial step in his development as a driver. He’s been actively involved in the development of the Alpine car alongside his teammate, Pierre Gasly.
Colapinto has already logged considerable time in the Alpine A526, beginning with the shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He then participated in extensive testing at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, where he posted a lap time of 1:33.818, just slightly behind Gasly’s 1:33.421. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari set the fastest time during those tests with a 1:31.992. These testing sessions have been vital in preparing both Colapinto and the team for the demands of the upcoming season.
Technical Changes and Alpine’s Engine Switch
The 2026 season brings with it significant changes to the Formula 1 technical regulations. Beyond the traditional DRS on the rear wing, a DRS system has been added to the front wing. Crucially, the power output of the electric motor has been substantially increased, now nearly matching that of the combustion engine.
In response to these changes, Alpine has made a bold strategic move, ending its Renault engine program and switching to Mercedes power units, which also include the gearbox. This decision, coupled with the aerodynamic work led by engineer David Sánchez, is expected to give Alpine a competitive edge over last year. Notably, Alpine has yet to unleash the full potential of its Mercedes engine during pre-season testing, with the complete configuration slated to debut at the Australian Grand Prix, potentially boosting performance even further.
Schedule and Viewing Options for the Australian Grand Prix
The Formula 1 action at Albert Park officially begins on Thursday, March 5th, at 10:30 PM (Argentina time) with the first practice session. Qualifying will follow on Friday, March 6th. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the schedule:
- Thursday, March 5th: First Practice – 10:30 PM (Argentina time)
- Friday, March 6th: Qualifying – Time to be confirmed
Argentine fans can watch all practice sessions, qualifying, and the race live on Disney+, Fox Sports, and through the official Formula 1 app, F1 TV.
#F1xFoxSports | Franco Colapinto superó a Pierre Gasly en el #USGPSegu%C3%AD
Seguí toda la actividad de Fórmula 1® junto a @puenteadrian, @aagulla_TV y @f1andersen en la pantalla de Fox Sports. pic.twitter.com/qu8Ia2jz7o— Fox Sports Argentina (@FOXSportsArg) October 19, 2025
As the Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia, all eyes will be on the drivers and teams as they adapt to the new regulations and battle for supremacy. The next major checkpoint will be the first qualifying session on Friday, where the grid for the Australian Grand Prix will begin to take shape.
What are your predictions for the Australian Grand Prix? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow Formula 1 fans!
