Five things to know ahead of the Australian Grand Prix

We're heading Down Under to magnificent Melbourne for Round 3 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship and a street circuit like no other at Albert Park.

After pre-season testing and two grands prix in the Middle East, it's time for the longest-haul flight of the year as we make the 10,500-mile trip from Grove to Victoria's capital city.

Here are five things you should know before F1 kick-starts your weekend.

After the two-year gap between races, some great news followed for Aussie F1 fans two months after the 2022 event — the Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until at least 2035, following a 10-year contract extension.

Not only will the city welcome F1 for the next 13 years, but the new agreement also ensures that Melbourne will host a minimum of five season-opening rounds over the new contract's duration.

The news followed a record-breaking 2022 Grand Prix return where over 419,000 fans flocked to Albert Park over the weekend, including 128,294 on race day alone, to make the occasion one of Australia's most popular sporting events.

One surprise treat from the contract extension announcement was that Formula 2 and 3 would support Formula 1 on its long journey to Australia.

The two support series typically stick to European and Middle Eastern venues, and 2023 will be a first for both championships and all 52 of their racers.

That includes our Academy trio of Zak O'Sullivan, Franco Colapinto, and Ollie Gray, who will jump back into their F3 cockpits for the first time since Bahrain.

Adaptability will prove key for all, with only a single 45-minute practice session on Friday preceding the all-important qualifying session later in the day.

The significant track changes to the Albert Park Circuit in 2022 meant far more flat-out running over a lap and a fourth DRS zone sneaking into its layout.

However, the high-speed DRS zone between Turn 8 and the Turn 9 chicane never made it to Saturday last year after safety concerns with the extreme porpoising that caused so many headaches early on in the season.

After consultations between Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott, the FIA and Formula 1, the fourth zone will debut in the 2023 race to make it the fastest-ever Australian Grand Prix.

Logan may be a newcomer to Formula 1, but his experience in Formula 2 and 3 has seen him visit many of F1's 2023 circuits, including Bahrain and Jeddah.

For the first time this season, however, that's not the case and the Albert Park Circuit represents new territory for our young American.

Friday's two practice sessions will prove even more valuable than usual for Sarge, who will look to put in as many miles as possible in the FW45 before he gears up for Qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

It may feel as though Formula 1 has only just returned, but after the chequered flag falls on Sunday, there will be three weekends without racing.

The Chinese Grand Prix's cancellation, initially set for mid-April, leaves a lengthy break after Australia, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix coming on 30 April, the last weekend of the month.

With so much time between races and Baku being a little closer to each team’s base, expect to see some significant car developments based on the all-important data the drivers gather over the Australian Grand Prix.