Australian Grand Prix 2023: Race start times and how to watch on TV

Two rounds in and Red Bull have destroyed all comers, finishing first and second in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Max Verstappen won the opening round before having to fight back in Saudi Arabia after starting 15th. Sergio Perez moved to within a point of his Dutch team-mate after taking pole and winning in Jeddah.

Fernando Alonso has taken two podiums so far in a resurgent Aston Martin and is third in the standings with 30 points.

The third race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, is the final race for several weeks and takes place at Albert Park in Melbourne and Verstappen is favourite to take a second victory of the year after securing pole position in qualifying on Saturday, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell.

When is it?

The 2023 Australian Grand Prix weekend runs from Friday March 31 until Sunday April 2.

What time do the sessions start?

Friday, March 31

First practice –  2.30am BST
Second practice – 6am

Saturday, April 1

Third practice – 2.30am
Qualifying – 6am

Sunday, April 2

Australian Grand Prix – 6am

What TV channel is it on?

Sky Sports F1 have near-exclusive live coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few with their usual excellent team.

Sky's qualifying program starts at 5.15 BST on Saturday, with their race coverage at 4.30am on Sunday.

Channel 4 also have extended highlights coverage this year. Their qualifying re-run starts at 11.15am on Saturday with their race highlights package at 12.30pm on Sunday.

• Watch the 2023 Australian Grand Prix through Sky Sports

What were the times and standings after qualifying?

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Netherlands, 1 minute, 16.732 seconds.

2. George Russell, Mercedes, Great Britain, 1:16.968

3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Great Britain, 1:17.104

4. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Spain, 1:17.139

5. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, Spain, 1:17.270

6. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, Canada, 1:17.308

7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Monaco, 1:17.369

8. Alexander Albon, Williams, Thailand, 1:17.609

9. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, France, 1:17.675.

10. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, Germany, 1:17.735

11. Esteban Ocon, Alpine, France, 1:17.768

12. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, Japan, 1:18.099

13. Lando Norris, McLaren, Great Britain, 1:18.119

14. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Denmark, 1:18.129

15. Nyck De Vries, AlphaTauri, Netherlands, 1:18.335

16. Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Australia, 1:18.517

17. Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo, China, 1:18.540

18. Logan Sargeant, Williams, USA, 1:18.557

19. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, Finland, 1:18.714

20. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, Mexico (no time set)

What do we know about the Albert Park circuit?

• Circuit length: 5.278km

• First grand prix: 1996

• Laps: 58

• Race distance: 306.124km

• Race lap record: 1:20.260sec

• Number of corners: 14

• Overtaking chances: It is not a track renowned for its great racing, though extra DRS zones and though remodelling of some of the corners have helped things a little they have not dramatically changed anything for the better.

What are the current standings?

Drivers: top 10

Constructors:

What are the latest odds?

• Max Verstappen 2/7

• Fernando Alonso, George Russell 8/1

• Lewis Hamilton 9/1

• Sergio Perez 25/1

• Carlos Sainz 33/1

• Charles Leclerc 40/1