F1 Australian Grand Prix - Friday Practice: As it happened

Follow Friday practice for the 2022 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix with Crash.net's live blog.

Formula 1 will race in Melbourne for the first time since 2019 for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

F1's last visit in 2020 was cut short amid the coronavirus pandemic but we're back at one of the drivers' favourite venues.

While it has often been the season-opener, Albert Park hosts round three of this season's F1 world championship after back-to-back grands prix in the Middle East.

Bahrain kick-started the season with Charles Leclerc coming out on top ahead of Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz to take Ferrari's first 1-2 finish since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix.

A week later in Saudi Arabia, F1 champion Max Verstappen took to the top after an intense duel with Leclerc at the front.

Heading into this weekend's race, F1 races at a heavily-revised Albert Park circuit with an unprecedented four DRS zones.

The track has been modified significantly with a number of corners widened and altered to improve wheel-to-wheel racing at the front of the field.

Lap times are expected to be at least four to five seconds quicker but the barriers remain close to the track, offering drivers are difficult challenge this weekend.

In terms of who will come out on top at the front, Ferrari and Red Bull will no doubt remain the teams to beat, while Mercedes - who was expected to introduce a number of upgrades for this weekend - hasn't.

The midfield battle looks tighter than ever but Alpine will be hoping its new floor will tip the edge in its favour as it looks to move clear of Haas and Alfa Romeo.

Haas has no spare chassis so Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen will need to be on their best behaviour.

Aston Martin welcomes back Sebastian Vettel after he missed the opening two races of the year.

Vettel was ruled out of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds through covid but is back for this weekend having won in Australia on three previous occasions.

Finally, home hero Daniel Ricciardo will be hoping to get his season off the mark after failing to score so far in 2022.

Previous F1 Australian Grand Prix winners:

2020-2021: Not held

2019: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

2018: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2017: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

2016: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2015: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2014: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2013: Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2012: Jenson Button (McLaren)

2011: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2010: Jenson Button (McLaren)

Most F1 Australian Grand Prix wins
Michael Schumacher: 4 wins (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)

Sebastian Vettel: 3 wins (2011, 2017, 2018)

Jenson Button: 3 wins (2009, 2010, 2012)

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Full 2022 F1 calendar

March 18-20 - Round 1

Bahrain Grand Prix

March 25-27 - Round 2

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

April 8-10 - Round 3

Australian Grand Prix

April 22-24 - Round 4

Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

May 6-8 - Round 5

Miami Grand Prix

May 20-22 - Round 6

Spanish Grand Prix