Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull are due to battle it out for the drivers' and constructors' world championships this season, while Audi and Cadillac enter the fold looking to make a splash. Can Lando Norris defend his title? Is George Russell ready? Will Max Verstappen show his class again? And is Lewis Hamilton able to reverse his fortunes?

There is not long to wait to find out, as we will quickly learn how the teams are adjusting to the new regulations, and there has already been plenty of controversy around Mercedes' engine, with rivals claiming they have found a way around the engine compression ratio limits. The FIA confirmed earlier this month that they would not ban Mercedes' engine and have now announced a mid-season rule change: a new test in June to address the 'loophole'.

The Australian Grand Prix chief executive, Travis Auld, also understands that all the reshuffling of flights due to air strikes across the Middle East, where many flights to Melbourne stopover, are "locked in". Auld is adamant that "everyone will be here ready for the race and fans won't notice any difference".

Express Sport will keep you up to date with all the latest Formula One news before the first Grand Prix weekend of the 2026 season...

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Visit express.co.uk for live updates.