UK start time, standings, schedule and how to go

Max Verstappen’s bid to defend his Formula 1 world title is underway ahead of the crucial showdown at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, who scored a disastrous withdrawal in the opening match of the season in Bahrain, claimed his first victory since becoming champion in Saudi Arabia.

Verstappen put his terrible start to the season behind him with the decisive win

Red Bull overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by four laps, while Carlos Sainz was third and Sergio Perez fourth.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton made a disastrous start to the season, finishing 10th after one of the worst qualifying performances of his career.

The grid will now travel to Melbourne for the third race of the campaign.

Australian Grand Prix 2022: UK start date and time

The race weekend in Melbourne has been scheduled for Friday 8 April to Sunday 10 April.

There will be three practice sessions – two on Friday and one on Saturday – before qualifying takes place at 7am UK time on Saturday morning.

The race itself was also introduced due to the time difference and will start at 6am on Sunday.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is expected to return after missing the first two races due to a positive case of Covid-19.

The battle between Leclerc and Verstappen should dominate this season

Australian Grand Prix 2022: Live Stream & TV Channel

Qualifying will begin at 6am for the Sky Sports F1 on Saturday and at 5:55am for the race itself at the Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday.

Sky Sports customers can stream this live stream through the app using their mobile devices, tablets or computers.

Otherwise, you can buy the Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £9.99, while Channel 4 will broadcast top events later in the evening.

talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog of all the lights out events in Melbourne on Sunday.

Verstappen scored his first win since becoming champion

Australian Grand Prix 2022: Drivers Standing

Driver / car / points

Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 45
Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 33
Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 25
George Russell / Mercedes / 22
Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 15
Esteban Ocon / ALBIN / 14
Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 12
Kevin Magnussen/Haas/1two
Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 8
Lando Norris / McLaren / 6
Yuki Tsuna / Alphatory / 4
Pierre Gasly / Alvatore / 4
Fernando Alonso / Alps / 2
Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 1
Mick Schumacher / Haas / 0
Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 0
Alexander Albon / Williams / 0
Daniel Ricciardo / McLaren / 0
Nicholas Latifi / Williams / 0
Nico Hulkenberg / Aston Martin / 0
Sebastian Vettel / Aston Martin / 0

A season that forgets Hamilton, the seven-time world champion so far

Australian Grand Prix 2022: What has been said?

Leclerc on his fight with Verstappen: “It was very complicated. I don’t think I could have done much. I think we did everything right – the strategy, the stops.

“We are working really well as a team. The only thing we missed was a slightly lower level of downforce.”

On the upcoming race in Melbourne: “It will be fun. It will not require the same preparation as in the past, so adaptation will be very important.”

Hamilton: “I started to get a little better, and I started beating the guys up front. It was a very good pass. I was feeling good at that point, but then everything hit the fan while the cars were coming to a stop.

“I got at least one point. We both got points for the team.

“Not much has changed since the last race, but only a few days have passed. I couldn’t keep up with Haas at the end. We have a lot of work to do for sure, but I have a great team.”