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F1 Grid: Starting Positions for Chinese GP Race
Formula 1's new era advances to the Shanghai International Circuit for the inaugural sprint weekend of the 2026 season. Kieran Jackson reports on Saturday, 14 March 2026, at 07:45 GMT, with insights from Alonso, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, and Russell on the upcoming Chinese GP.
Race Overview and Key Highlights
Formula 1 returns to China for the second race of the 2026 season at the Shanghai International Circuit, marking the first sprint weekend under the new regulations. Mercedes delivered a dominant performance at the season-opener in Australia, securing a one-two finish led by title favourite George Russell, with teammate Kimi Antonelli following closely. Charles Leclerc claimed a podium for Ferrari, emerging as Mercedes's nearest challengers in Melbourne.
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and continues to pursue his first grand prix top-three finish for Scuderia Ferrari. Last year in China, Hamilton won the sprint race but faced a crushing double disqualification in the main event. Max Verstappen has expressed dissatisfaction with the new F1 regulations, particularly the energy management aspects of the 2026 cars, and has not ruled out quitting the sport.
Defending champion Lando Norris finished fifth as McLaren appeared to lack pace compared to Mercedes, while Oscar Piastri aims to recover from a devastating pre-race crash at his home event. Here is a comprehensive guide to the Chinese Grand Prix.
Starting Grid for the Chinese GP
Top-10: TBC
Out in Q2:
- 11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 1:33:354
- 12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 1:33:357
- 13. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1:33:538
- 14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 1:33:765
- 15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 1:33:784
- 16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 1:33:965
Out in Q1:
- 17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 1:34:317
- 18. Alex Albon (Williams) - 1:34:772
- 19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1:35:203
- 20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 1:35:436
- 21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 1:35:995
- 22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 1:36:906
Chinese Grand Prix Schedule
All times GMT:
- Saturday 14 March: Qualifying - 7am
- Sunday 15 March: Race - 7am
How to Watch Online and on TV
In the United Kingdom, the Chinese Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Coverage for Sunday's race begins at 5:30am GMT. Sky Sports subscribers can access all action from Shanghai via the Sky Go app. Non-subscribers can purchase a NOWTV Day Pass for viewing without a subscription.
In the United States, every practice, qualifying, and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. A seven-day free trial is available for Apple TV. For viewers travelling abroad, a VPN may be necessary to unblock streaming apps; refer to our VPN roundup for assistance.
Driver Standings Ahead of Chinese GP
Note: Standings are TBC.
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 25 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 18 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 15 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 12 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) - 10 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 8 points
- Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 6 points
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 4 points
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 1 point
Additional drivers from 11 to 21 have 0 points.
Constructor Standings Ahead of Chinese GP
Note: Standings are TBC.
- Mercedes - 43 points
- Ferrari - 27 points
- McLaren - 10 points
- Red Bull - 8 points
- Haas - 6 points
- Racing Bulls - 4 points
- Audi - 2 points
- Alpine - 1 point
- Williams - 0 points
- Cadillac - 0 points
- Aston Martin - 0 points
2026 F1 Race Calendar
- ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend): Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March
- ROUND 3 - JAPAN: Suzuka International Racing Course, 27-29 March
- ROUND 4 - BAHRAIN: Bahrain International Circuit, 10-12 April
- ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA: Jeddah Corniche Circuit, 17-19 April
- ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend): Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium, 1-3 May
- ROUND 7 - CANADA (sprint weekend): Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, 22-24 May
- ROUND 8 - MONACO: Circuit de Monaco, 5-7 June
- ROUND 9 - SPAIN (Barcelona): Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 12-14 June
- ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, 26-28 June
- ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend): Silverstone Circuit, 3-5 July
- ROUND 12 - BELGIUM: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, 17-19 July
- ROUND 13 - HUNGARY: Hungaroring, Budapest, 24-26 July
- ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend): Circuit Zandvoort, 21-23 August
- ROUND 15 - ITALY: Monza Circuit, 4-6 September
- ROUND 16 - SPAIN (Madrid): Circuito de Madring, 11-13 September
- ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN: Baku City Circuit, 25-27 September
- ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend): Marina Bay Street Circuit, 9-11 October
- ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, 23-25 October
- ROUND 20 - MEXICO: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, 30 October-1 November
- ROUND 21 - BRAZIL: Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo, 6-8 November
- ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Street Circuit, 19-21 November
- ROUND 23 - QATAR: Lusail International Circuit, 27-29 November
- ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI: Yas Marina Circuit, 4-6 December
