When is the Australian Grand Prix? When does the F1 2017 season start? Here’s what we know about the opening race of the World Championship
Lewis Hamilton will start as favourite at Melbourne GP as he bids to win his fourth world title in his Mercedes this year
FORMULA ONE fans are counting down the days before the start of the 2017 season eager to see who will succeed Nico Rosberg as world champion.
The German racer dramatically announced his retirement from the sport just days after he beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the title in a thrilling finale.
Hamilton is the favourite to reclaim his crown as the best in the world - while the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo will be hoping they can challenge.
And petrol-heads will get their first indication on how the season is likely to shape up in the traditional opening race - the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park.
When is the Australian Grand Prix and when does the 2017 F1 season begin?
The Rolex Australian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 26 March, 2017.
The race around the circuit in Melbourne will be the opening Grand Prix of the new 2017 Formula One season.
The race weekend at the Albert Park track begins on Friday 24 March when the cars roll out for two free practice sessions.
A third practice session will take place on Saturday 25 March morning before qualifying is held later that day.
What time does the Australian Grand Prix start?
The red lights go out for the start of the main race at 4pm in Melbourne - 6am UK time.
Qualifying for the race begins at 5pm in Melbourne - 7am UK time.
Where is the Australian Grand Prix held and how many laps is it?
The Australian Grand Prix takes place on the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.
The 3.295-mile circuit has been used as the venue for the race since taking over from Adelaide in 1996.
The race lasts 58 laps, covering a total distance of 191.118 miles.
Which TV channel is the Australian GP on?
Sky Sports F1 will be the only channel showing full live coverage of the race in Melbourne.
Delayed highlights will be shown on Channel 4 at 2pm on Sunday, with the live coverage itself on Sky starting at 4.30am.
The race will be covered live on radio in the UK on Five Live.
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