In Formula One, the Chinese Grand Prix will begin on March 15, 2026, at the Shanghai International Circuit. This race will mark the second round of the season and the first sprint weekend of the year. The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix is a three-day event featuring the sprint race, grand prix qualifying, and the main race. Fans are eagerly waiting to see who will compete in the main race of the Chinese Grand Prix 2026.
The Australian Grand Prix opened the season with plenty of surprises and strong momentum. The upcoming Chinese Grand Prix requires flexible race strategies and strict safety measures at the Shanghai International Circuit. The event starts early on March 13, 2026, with the opening practice. Later that afternoon, a sprint qualifying round will take place. In an exciting motor race, fans want to see which drivers will rise to the contenders with their teams.
George Russell finished first on the podium for Mercedes with 25 points, and in the practice session, he proved his dominance. His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, followed in second place with 18 points. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in P3 and P4, respectively, at the previous Australian GP. Lando Norris has finished in fifth place after another impressive performance. Max Verstappen was overtaken by Oliver Bearman and managed to collect only eight points in the race.
However, Arvid Lindblad finished the race for Racing Bulls with only four points. Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly finished ninth and tenth place, respectively. Several other drivers, including Esteban Ocon, Alexander Albon, Liam Lawson, Sergio Perez, and Lance Stroll, completed the race outside the points. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, and Isack Hadjar were added to the ‘did not finish’ (DNF) list. Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg did not start (DNS) the Australian GP.
F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026-Shanghai International Circuit
Plans to host a Formula One race in Shanghai were finalized in April 2003, when a marshland was selected for the Shanghai International Circuit. After the Circuit was completed in 2004 and the first F1 race took place, the venue hosted its first Chinese GP. That season also saw the Bahrain Grand Prix, with both races showing exciting momentum. At that race, Michael Schumacher won in Bahrain, while Rubens Barrichello took first place in China.
The design of the Shanghai International Circuit is a Chinese symbol for ‘Shang’, which means upwards, and a visual treat for spectators. The circuit begins with a series of tight turns before opening into several challenging corners, adding an extra layer for drivers. Motorsport enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the era’s performances at this upcoming Chinese GP in Formula One.
Circuit Length
5.451 km
Race Distance
305.066 km
Number of Laps
56
Oscar Piastri started from pole position and went on to the Chinese Grand Prix in 2025. His performance was better on the backbone of their team, McLaren-Mercedes. This time, who will secure a win in this year’s event?
In the fastest lap category, Lando Norris finished from the McLaren-Mercedes team. His duration of 1:35.454 on lap 53 at the Chinese GP 2025, and which team will claim the fastest lap in the upcoming race?
Live Stream for the Chinese Grand Prix 2026
The Australian audiences can tune in through Foxtel, Kayo, and Fox Sports. The Chinese Grand Prix 2026 will see every twist and turn of the race weekend.
Don’t miss the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix live stream on Canal+ for the Formula One Championship. At the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, Canal+ is the top motorsport channel for French F1 fans.
In India, the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 will be streamed live on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. These channels allow fans to follow their favorite drivers from home.
Finnish viewers can follow the race on DAZN, which offers thrilling motorsport coverage. Some other options are Viaplay V Sport 1 to access the Formula One flashes.
You can access the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 live on Fuji TV and DAZN for all Japanese followers. Both platforms will give extensive coverage on race day.
Watch the race live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, while ESPN+ offers additional full coverage and replays for the United States.
The race will also be available on Viaplay across several European countries. Ensuring fans don’t miss any pivotal moments from the Formula 1 season opener.
In New Zealand, the race will be broadcast live on Sky New Zealand. Stay tuned for expert analysis and the latest updates for motorsport fans.
In the United Kingdom, fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports. These highlights and selected coverage will also be available on Channel 4.
Fans can also follow the race through live streaming on bet365.com, where eligible users can access live race coverage on race day.
F1 Schedule for Chinese Grand Prix 2026
March 13, 2026 (Friday)
Event
Session
Time
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
First Practice Session
08:20 – 08:45
F1 Academy
Practice Session
09:10 – 09:50
FIA
F1 Car Presentation
10:00 – 11:00
FORMULA 1
FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
11:30 – 12:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Practice Session
12:55 – 13:40
Formula 1
Teams’ Press Conference
13:30 – 14:30
F1 Academy
Qualifying Session
14:05 – 14:35
FORMULA 1
SPRINT QUALIFYING
15:30 – 16:14
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
Second Practice Session
17:00 – 17:25
March 14, 2026 (Saturday)
Event
Session
Time
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
Qualifying Session
08:15 – 08:40
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Qualifying Session
09:10 – 09:40
FORMULA 1
SPRINT (19 Laps or 60 Mins)
11:00 – 11:30
Formula 1
Press Conference
11:30 – 12:00
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
First Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
12:25 – 13:00
F1 Academy
First Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap)
13:45 – 14:20
FORMULA 1
QUALIFYING
15:00 – 16:00
Formula 1
Press Conference
16:00 – 17:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
First Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins)
16:55 – 17:30
F1 Experiences
F1 Experiences Champions Club Grid Walk & Trophy Photo
18:20 – 19:20
March 15, 2026 (Sunday)
Event
Session
Time
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
Second Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
09:10 – 09:45
F1 Academy
Second Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap)
10:40 – 11:15
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Second Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins)
11:55 – 12:30
Formula 1
Drivers’ Parade
13:00 – 13:30
Formula 1
National Anthem
14:44 – 14:46
FORMULA 1
GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
15:00 – 17:00
Note: Shanghai is 8 hours ahead of UTC. Timetable subject to change.
F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026: Predictions
George Russell
George Russell is a rising star in the motorsport world this season after claiming victory at the opening Australian Grand Prix. Early in 2025, Russell established himself as the dominant performer at Mercedes, consistently fighting for podium finishes. His performances in the early races highlighted the toughness of Mercedes’ support, which is more stable.
However, Russell still needs a stronger long-run pace to convert strong qualifying results into historic race wins. He sometimes backs out of high-risk moves, which can cost him chances at triumph. In the upcoming race, Russell’s ability to manage rear tire wear will be pivotal if he hopes to secure more podiums or wins in 2026.
Kimi Antonelli
During the 2026 Formula One season, Kimi Antonelli has shown smart work in delivering impressive performances over the past year. Russell’s teammate, Antonelli, followed his strategy to finish second in the Australian GP. He has consistently performed and earned points in clashes, showing his pressure level throughout the season. Kimi Antonelli is coming from F2; he has adapted quickly to the demands of Formula One.
He is also handling his team’s reputation this season, maintaining pressure. Antonelli’s smooth driving style and calm approach through high-load corners make him suitable for the circuit’s technical turns. His strong focus on overtaking sometimes causes him to miss chances to gain position during races. Kimi Antonelli will improve on high-speed corners, which is a crucial factor in the upcoming race.
Charles Leclerc
In the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship, Charles Leclerc has shown as Ferrari’s leading driver and displayed strong performance, with podium struggles. Leclerc’s ability to handle high pressure kept Ferrari in contention with McLaren and Mercedes. From the Ferrari pit wall, his strong qualifying results often translate into podium finishes.
However, Ferrari faced a major setback when the team was disqualified at the Shanghai International Circuit. This time, Ferrari will manage its driver lineup of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to deliver strong results. While Leclerc’s ability remains one of Ferrari’s biggest strengths, he has lost potential victories due to the team’s strategic weaknesses. This team’s performance determines which drivers will win at the Chinese Grand Prix 2026.