F1 grid: Starting positions for the Australian GP after Lewis Hamilton ...

Formula 1 returns down under this weekend as Albert Park plays host to the Australian Grand Prix and the third race of the 2024 season.

Max Verstappen coasted to race victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, followed by his team-mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull start this year how they left 2023, completely dominating the sport on track despite being thrown into turmoil off the track.

Carlos Sainz returns in Melbourne after missing out in Saudi due to abdominal surgery - where British teen Ollie Bearman replaced him - while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing improvements in their Mercedes car following an underwhelming start to the season.

Verstappen won a chaotic race in Australia last year, with Hamilton and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso also on the podium. Alex Albon will take Logan Sargeant’s chassis for the weekend after Albon’s Williams car could not be fixed following a crash in practice on Friday.

Here is everything you need to know:

What is the race schedule?

(All times GMT)

Sunday 24 March

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The Australian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom - and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of the race starts at 3am.

Highlights of qualifying in the UK will be aired on free-to-air Channel 4 at 10:15am (GMT) on Saturday morning; the race highlights are at 12:30pm (GMT) on Sunday.

What is the starting grid?

1. Max Verstappen

2. Carlos Sainz

3. Lando Norris

4. Charles Leclerc

5. Oscar Piastri

6. Sergio Perez*

7. George Russell

8. Yuki Tsunoda

9. Lance Stroll

10. Fernando Alonso

11. Lewis Hamilton

12. Alex Albon

13. Valtteri Bottas

14. Kevin Magnussen

15. Esteban Ocon

16. Nico Hulkenberg

17. Pierre Gasly

18. Daniel Ricciardo

19. Zhou Guanyu

*Sergio Perez was given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Nico Hulkenberg in qualifying

What is the 2024 F1 calendar?

ROUND 3 - AUSTRALIA

Albert Park, Melbourne - 22-24 March

ROUND 4 - JAPAN

Suzuka International Racing Course - 5-7 April

ROUND 5 - CHINA (sprint race)

Shanghai International Circuit - 19-21 April

ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint race)

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 3-5 May

ROUND 7 - EMILIA ROMAGNA

Imola Circuit - 17-19 May

ROUND 8 - MONACO

Circuit de Monaco - 24-26 May

ROUND 9 - CANADA

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 7-9 June

ROUND 10 - SPAIN

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 21-23 June

ROUND 11 - AUSTRIA (sprint race)

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 28-30 June

ROUND 12 - GREAT BRITAIN

Silverstone Circuit - 5-7 July

ROUND 13 - HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest - 19-21 July

ROUND 14 - BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 26-28 July

ROUND 15 - NETHERLANDS

Circuit Zandvoort - 23-25 August

ROUND 16 - ITALY

Monza Circuit - 30 August - 1 September

ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit - 13-15 September

ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 20-22 September

ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES (sprint race)

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 18-20 October

ROUND 20 - MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 25-27 October

ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint race)

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 1-3 November

ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 21-23 November

ROUND 23 - QATAR (sprint race)

Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 29 November - 1 December

ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit - 6-8 December

Driver Standings

1. Max Verstappen - 51 points

2. Sergio Perez - 36 points

3. Charles Leclerc - 28 points

4. George Russell - 18 points

5. Oscar Piastri - 16 points

6. Carlos Sainz - 15 points

7. Fernando Alonso - 12 points

8. Lando Norris - 12 points

9. Lewis Hamilton - 9 points

10. Oliver Bearman - 6 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg - 1 point

12. Lance Stroll - 1 point

13. Alex Albon - 0 points

14. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points

15. Kevin Magnussen - 0 points

16. Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points

17. Esteban Ocon - 0 points

18. Yuki Tsunoda - 0 points

19. Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points

21. Pierre Gasly - 0 points

Constructor Standings

1. Red Bull - 87 points

2. Ferrari - 49 points

3. McLaren - 28 points

4. Mercedes - 26 points

5. Aston Martin - 13 points

6. Haas - 1 point

7. Williams - 0 points

8. Kick Sauber - 0 points

9. RB - 0 points

10. Alpine - 0 points