2024 Australian Grand Prix: Fast Facts

As the Formula 1 circus lands in Melbourne for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing is eyeing a rare achievement – clinching a third consecutive 1-2 finish, as they look to build on their early-season dominance. Reigning champion Max Verstappen is on the cusp of a perfect start, gunning for a hat-trick of victories to further stamp his authority on the drivers’ standings. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is hoping to bounce back after surgery ruled him out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The anticipation at Albert Park also surges for local talents Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo, who carry the hopes of a nation yearning to see their compatriots excel. Both Australians are under the spotlight, each determined to deliver standout performances on their home turf, where every overtake and every point scored is amplified by the roar of the supportive crowd.

With the help of Parimatch, we have put together a comprehensive guide of everything you need to know for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix…

2024 Australian Grand Prix Scheduling

The schedule for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix is set to provide an exhilarating weekend of racing action at Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park Circuit. The event kicks off with the first practice session at 12:30 on the 22nd of March, giving teams their first taste of the track. A second practice follows on the same day at 16:00, allowing teams to gain data in the cooler afternoon conditions. On the 23rd, Practice 3 starts at 12:30, providing the final opportunity for drivers to refine their approach before the high-stakes qualifying session at 16:00, where they will vie for the coveted pole position. The climax of the weekend is the race on the 24th at 15:00, where strategy, skill, and speed will combine to crown the victor of the Australian Grand Prix.

Note: The above session times are local time for Melbourne, Australia.

2024 Australian Grand Prix Betting

As the 2024 Australian Grand Prix draws near, the betting odds offer a revealing glimpse into the race’s expected frontrunners and dark horses. At the front of the pack is Max Verstappen, who stands as the clear favourite with odds of 1.16 to win, 1.12 for a top 3 podium finish, 1.07 for a top 10 finish, and 1.10 for finishing in the top 6, underscoring the high confidence in his performance. His teammate, Sergio Perez, is also viewed favourably with odds of 9.00 to win, 1.28 for a top 3 finish, 1.08 for a top 10 finish, and 1.12 for a top 6 finish, reflecting Red Bull Racing’s dominant start to the season.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, with odds of 15.00 to win, 1.65 for a top 3 finish, 1.10 for a top 10 finish, and 1.14 for a top 6 finish, alongside McLaren’s Lando Norris (41.00 to win, 4.50 for top 3, 1.12 for top 10, 1.16 for top 6) and the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (both at 41.00 to win, with Russell at 4.00 and Hamilton at 3.25 for a top 3 finish, both at 1.11 for top 10, and Russell at 1.20 and Hamilton at 1.20 for top 6), are identified as viable contenders, albeit with odds reflecting a lower probability of victory compared to the Red Bull duo.

Further down the list, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) are seen with moderate chances (both at 41.00 to win, Alonso at 4.50 and Piastri at 8.00 for top 3, both at 1.12 for top 10, and Alonso at 1.44 and Piastri at 1.80 for top 6), indicating they are not favoured for the top spots but are still in contention for respectable finishes.

The odds become significantly steeper for drivers like Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), with Bearman at 81.00 to win and Stroll at a distant 301.00, reflecting their outsider status. The rest of the field, including Alex Albon (Williams), Daniel Ricciardo (Visa RB), and others, are positioned as long shots, with their odds indicating a low expectation for a significant impact on the race’s outcome.

How to Watch the 2024 Australian Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the Australian Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Australian Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Home Race Podium For Oscar Piastri?

After finishing in P4 in Saudi Arabia, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is hoping the home crowd can push him to even greater heights this weekend. 

“Australia, my home race! I’m so excited to be racing in front of a home crowd again. There’s no feeling like it. It’s going to be a great race week, and I’m sure that there will be an awesome atmosphere.

“We’ve had a positive start, with a P4 finish in Saudi. I was back in the MTC last week reviewing all the data to see where we can maximise our performance. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of papaya in the crowd this weekend. Let’s go!”

Australia: A Home Away From Home For Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas spends a lot of time in Australia during the F1 off-season, and he was at a classic F1 event in Adelaide last weekend, so the Finn is acclimatised and ready to put on a show for his adopted home crowd. 

“I’m delighted to be back in Australia – it’s no secret this is the closest to a home race for me now, and I want to have a good result to repay the love I am shown! The support and the energy of the fans is incredible – it’s great to be here, and you experience it right away, from the moment you step in the Melbourne Walk. The race in Jeddah was a tough one for the team, but we have been working hard this past week, away from the track, to get on top of the issues that didn’t allow us to extract the full potential of our car. This is a really cool track and I have enjoyed racing here in the past: I won here in 2019, so I have good memories, and I’m even more motivated to bring back a good result this weekend, proving our direct competitors we too are valid contenders in the battle for points. If we start the weekend on the right foot, I’m positive we can achieve that.”

Jack Doohan Gears Up For ‘Doohan Demonstration’ In Melbourne

Jack Doohan heads to Melbourne this weekend on Reserve Driver duties for BWT Alpine F1 Team.

The young Australian will take part in the Doohan Demonstration throughout the weekend, where he will drive a 2000 Benetton B200 Formula 1 car alongside his father, Mick.

The occasion is to celebrate Doohan Sr’s 30-year anniversary since the first of five consecutive 500cc world motorcycling titles in 1994.

“I’m so excited to be on track with my Dad in Albert Park during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. It’s actually the first time we have shared a track together with me in a car and him on a bike so that will be an incredibly special moment. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate his success in front of the Australian fans. And, for me, it’s a unique opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car around such an iconic track. Hopefully next year it will be the real thing! That’s my target and I’m working hard to achieve my ultimate dream.”

Australian Grand Prix: Fast Facts

• The Albert Park Circuit, modified prior to 2022 and thus shortened to 5.278 km, is a temporary track partially run on public roads. As part of the modifications two years ago, new tarmac was laid.
• In a change from last year, Pirelli will be bringing the softest tyres in their range to Australia this year: the C3, C4, and C5.
• Last year, the tyre selection was one step harder with the C2, C3, and C4 compounds being used.
• Melbourne has the second shortest pit lane on the calendar at just 281 metres. Cars therefore spend only about 13 seconds at pit lane speed – that is the least amount of time spent in the pit lane of any across the year.
• Formula 2 will join Albert Park’s support race schedule for the second consecutive season. We will therefore see junior driver Kimi Antonelli in action Down Under, racing for PREMA as he continues his debut season in the series.
• There is a considerable time difference (11 hours) between Melbourne and the team back at Brackley and Brixworth supporting remotely, adding another level of challenge to the weekend.
• Albert Park is one of two venues to host the Australian Grand Prix, along with Adelaide.
• Mercedes has tasted success four times in Melbourne (Nico Rosberg in 2014 & 2016, Lewis Hamilton in 2015, and Valtteri Bottas in 2019)
• The season-ending 1995 Australian Grand Prix and the season-opening 1996 Australian Grand Prix is the only time in F1 history that consecutive races have had the same title.
• Albert Park is a unique, rare combination of street circuit and permanent racetrack.
• The fast-flowing Turn 9, Turn 10 sequence is a crucial part of the lap for the driver, and is where plenty of time can be gained and lost.
• With 72% of the lap time, and 79% of lap distance, spent at full throttle, Albert Park ranks third highest of any circuit on the calendar judged on both these metrics.