F1 Australian Grand Prix 2022: How to watch, when is it, Formula 1 tickets, Albert Park map, COVID updates

Formula 1 returns to Albert Park in Melbourne, where the Australian Grand Prix 2022 will take place following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. 

The dramatic cancellation of the 2020 edition followed by the ongoing global pandemic situation in 2021 has made for a frustrating couple of years for Grand Prix officials.

This long wait - as well as the sport's newfound popularity from the 'Drive To Survive' Netflix series - has made the Australian Grand Prix a much-anticipated event for fans. 

When is the Australian Grand Prix 2022?

The F1 Australian Grand Prix 2022 is set to take place between April 8-10 this year.

The schedule for the three days is as follows (all times are in AEST):

Friday April 8: Practice 1 (1:00pm-2:00pm), Practice 2 (4:00pm-5:00pm)

Saturday April 9: Practice 3 (1:00pm-2:00pm), Qualifying (4:00pm-5:00pm)

Sunday April 10: Race (3:00pm)

Australian GP qualifying results and grid order

Where is the Australian Grand Prix 2022?

The race will be held again at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne. 

Adelaide Street Circuit initially hosted the Australian Grand Prix for 11 years from 1985, with Albert Park taking over in 1996.

The circuit has an agreement with the FIA to host the race until 2025. 

How to watch the Australian Grand Prix 2022

An inclusion in the Australian Government's anti-siphoning list, the Australian Grand Prix will be shown live on free-to-air television.

Channel 10 currently broadcast race highlights of every Grand Prix, and will air all the action from Albert Park in 2022.

Fox Sports and Kayo - who show every race live throughout the season - will also broadcast the race.

Tickets for the Australian Grand Prix 2022

Most tickets are now sold out for the Australian Grand Prix, with 130,000 fans expected to be in attendance at Albert Park for race day on Sunday.

The first batch of pre-sale tickets went on sale in November, and all initial grandstand seats were sold out.

Due to increased demand, five new grandstands were made available, which all sold out within a day of their release.

There are still limited park pass tickets available for Friday and Saturday, which can be purchased via this link. 

Is it going to rain during the Australian Grand Prix 2022?

Despite plenty of rain in Sydney right now, Melbourne is set to dodge most of wet weather while it hosts the Australian Grand Prix this year. 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, rain is a small chance on race day with mainly cloudy conditions expected. 

Friday April 8 forecast: Partly cloudy with 0% chance of rain

Saturday April 9 forecast: Partly cloudy with 0% chance of rain

Sunday April 10 forecast: Mostly sunny with 20% chance of rain (most likely in the evening)

COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine rules

Typically the opening race of the season, the 2022 edition has been moved back to April to allow restrictions to ease in the state, as well as to ensure higher vaccination rates in Victoria and Australia. 

There are currently no restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing in place. 

What changes have been made to the track?

The Albert Park Circuit has undergone some renovations ahead of the Grand Prix this year. 

To enable more overtaking opportunities and promote faster and more competitive racing, seven corners have been adjusted, with two removed entirely.

The chicane at Turn 9 and 10 has also been removed.

Due to the new tweaks, the circuit will be five seconds quicker than the last edition.

Albert Park map

The Albert Park circuit features five major precincts, with a variety of hospitality and entertainment options available for fans.

You can download a PDF of the site map here. 

Driver lineup for the Australian Grand Prix 2022

Betting odds

Odds via TAB. Last updated Apr 10.