The Race for Melbourne

The 2026 Formula 1 season is officially underway as the grid heads to Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at the legendary Albert Park Circuit. In this episode of P22, we break down everything you need to know heading into race day.After a dramatic qualifying session, the grid is set and the early championship battle is already heating up. We dive into who surprised in qualifying, who underperformed, and which teams look like they’ve brought serious pace to start the season.I give my full race predictions, podium picks, and bold hot takes for the first race of the year. Will the usual front-runners dominate, or could Melbourne deliver an early-season shock? We also talk strategy, tire choices, and the drivers starting further back who could charge through the field.Plus, the return of P22 predictions: who finishes last, who shocks the grid, and who might leave Australia with momentum heading into the rest of the season.The lights are about to go out on a brand new F1 season—let’s break it all down.