2026 Australian GP Qualifying: Lindblad almost hits Lawson after Bortoleto pit entry issue GHOST CAR: See how Russell beat Antonelli in the fight for pole position The 2026 season is underway at Albert Park in Melbourne and we've complied a guide to what bettors need to know about the circuit before making their predictions. Here is everything you need to know about the Australian Grand Prix and the Albert Park circuit as you prepare your weekend bets. Norris began his title-winning season by taking his first Australian Grand Prix victory from pole position, although it was far from straightforward. However, Norris recovered to take the race win, finishing less than a second ahead of Verstappen and eight seconds clear of Russell in third. Three of the last five Melbourne race winners have started from pole position, with the exceptions being Valtteri Bottas in 2019 and Carlos Sainz in 2024. Be prepared to forget any preconceived views you had on the teams from testing and Friday practice once the real action starts on Sunday. Keep a close eye on the live timing to make sure you know what is happening throughout the field and don't be shy to step in if you think the odds of an outlying tyre choice or pit stop strategy playing off are generous. Almost a third of the field have previously won in Melbourne, including Hamilton, Bottas, Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris and Fernando Alonso. Now-Ferrari star Hamilton is the only multiple time winner in both 2008 and 2015, with the British driver currently priced with odds around 7/1 (8.0, +700) as fourth favourite to add a third success in 2026. However, the Red Bull driver failed to finish in both 2022 and 2024, leaving him with odds at around 5/6 (1/83, -120) for another top three finish this season. Nico Hulkenberg often shines around the streets of Melbourne and has finished in the top 10 in an impressive eight of his last nine visits. As for the reigning world champion, Norris is currently priced as the 10/1 (11.0, +1000) sixth favourite to repeat his Melbourne win this season. The last six races in Melbourne have been won by different drivers. Ferrari won four of the last seven races in Australia with three different drivers. Like last season, there is currently rain forecast in Melbourne across the weekend, but it looks more likely to affect Qualifying than the race itself. Prices are correct at the time of publication but can fluctuate. Any action you take based on the information in this article is strictly at your own risk, and F1 will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of this article. F1 does not encourage gambling and remind you to please gamble responsibly.

2026 Australian GP Qualifying: Lindblad almost hits Lawson after Bortoleto pit entry issue GHOST CAR: See how Russell beat Antonelli in the fight for pole position There were mixed fortunes for Mercedes in third practice at the Australian Grand Prix, with George Russell setting the pace while Kimi Antonelli suffered a significant crash. George Russell ended the third and final practice session of the Australian Grand Prix on top, the Mercedes driver going fastest in a disrupted hour that saw his team mate Kimi Antonelli suffer a hefty crash. Following a slightly delayed start due to barrier repair works after an earlier collision in the F3 Sprint Race, Alpine's Franco Colapinto led a group of cars out onto the track – including Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – when the session began at 1250 local time. There was early trouble, meanwhile, for Carlos Sainz, whose Williams came to a halt near the pit entry, leading to the yellow flags being waved before a Virtual Safety Car was deployed. As the disrupted FP3 reached its halfway point, Charles Leclerc had gone fastest on a 1m 20.271s, the Ferrari man dislodging Mercedes' Antonelli at the top by 0.053s, while Hamilton followed in third. Elsewhere, the yellow flags were briefly waved as Alex Albon started to run slowly before getting his Williams going again. Aston Martin, meanwhile, confirmed that Stroll would not participate in the session due to a suspected ICE issue. With just under four minutes left on clock when the session resumed, a busy end to FP3 ensued as cars fought to secure a position in the pit lane queue before heading out for their final runs. Lando Norris was at the front of the pack, the McLaren man moving up to fifth – before Russell pushed him down a position by going fastest of all by a significant 0.774s from Leclerc. Russell's effort of 1m 19.053s remained on top as the chequered flag fell, while Hamilton moved up into second place, albeit still 0.616s behind his former team mate. Antonelli ended the hour in seventh – amid question marks over whether his car will be repaired in time for Qualifying – while Norris, Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and the Haas of Ollie Bearman completed the top 10. Rookie Arvid Lindblad continued his impressive form so far in 11th for Racing Bulls, from team mate Liam Lawson, Haas' Esteban Ocon, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg and the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto. The Cadillac duo of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez were 19th and 20th, with Sainz winding up in 21st, having been unable to return to action following his stoppage, and Stroll did not run in the session due to a suspected ICE issue.