Motorsports
Date: March 13, 2026 - March 15, 2026

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 is the 2nd round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, after the Australian GP, and will take place from 13 to 15 March 2026 at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China.

The Chinese Grand Prix has been part of the Formula 1 calendar since 2004 and has produced many memorable races over the years. The Shanghai circuit is known for offering several overtaking opportunities and usually delivers exciting battles throughout the field.

Drivers to watch in 2026

The start of the season is always important and the Chinese Grand Prix often gives a clearer picture of which teams and drivers are in the strongest form.

  • Max Verstappen remains one of the main contenders. His consistency and race pace make him difficult to beat.
  • Lando Norris continues to be a strong performer and one of the drivers capable of fighting for podiums and victories when McLaren is competitive.
  • Charles Leclerc is always dangerous on circuits that reward precision and strong qualifying pace. Ferrari has shown in previous seasons that they can have great results in Shanghai.
  • George Russell is another driver to watch, after winning Australian GP, especially if Mercedes finds good balance on the fast corners and long straights of the Shanghai circuit.

The Circuit

The Shanghai International Circuit is one of the most recognizable tracks on the Formula 1 calendar.

  • Length: 5.451 km
  • Laps: 56
  • Total race distance: 305.066 km
  • Fastest lap time: 1:32.238 – Michael Schumacher (2004)

The track was built in 2003 and hosted its first Formula 1 race in 2004. Its layout was designed to resemble the Chinese character “shang”, which means “upwards”.

Schedule highlights

  • Friday, March 13
    • Practice 1 – 05:30 – 06:30
    • Sprint Qualifying – 09:30 – 10:14
  • Saturday, March 14
    • Sprint – 05:00 – 06:00
    • Qualifying – 09:00 -10:00
  • Sunday, March 15
    • Race – 09:00

Where to watch

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 will be broadcast live in many countries around the world. Some of the main broadcasters include Sky Sports, ESPN, F1 TV, DAZN, Canal+, Viaplay, beIN Sports, Sky Italia, RTL and TSN.

Coverage varies by country, so fans should check their local listings or the official Formula 1 website for the exact channel in their region.