Formula 1 arrives in China for the second race of the 2026 season, with Mercedes starting from the front row while Ferrari prepares to mount a serious challenge. McLaren will start from the third row, and Max Verstappen takes the grid from P8, aiming for a strong recovery.
Everything is set at the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix, the second round of the 2026 F1 season. Mercedes is determined to confirm its supremacy, but Ferrari is ready to fight back. Kimi Antonelli will start from pole position, the first of his career, followed by teammate George Russell and the two Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia will rely on the explosive starts already showcased in the Sprint race and in Australia to challenge the Silver Arrows right from the first corner. McLaren is ready to seize any opportunity from the third row, while Max Verstappen, starting eighth, faces the task of climbing back up the order with a Red Bull that has shown some struggles. Managing tyre degradation will be key across the 56 laps of the race.
Historic pole position for Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli claimed the first pole position of his Formula 1 career, becoming the youngest polesitter in F1 history. His lap of 1:32.064 was 0.222 seconds faster than George Russell, despite the Briton struggling with electrical issues in Q3.
Ferrari locked out the second row with Lewis Hamilton qualifying third and Charles Leclerc fourth, less than four-tenths off pole. The gap to Mercedes has shrunk compared to Melbourne, from eight-tenths to just four-tenths. McLaren secured the third row, while Max Verstappen could only manage P8, over a second off the pace.
George Russell holds off Ferrari in the first Sprint of the season
George Russell won the first Sprint race of the 2026 season in Shanghai, confirming Mercedes’ early dominance. Behind him, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton delivered an exciting internal battle, finishing second and third respectively.
The Sprint started chaotically. Lewis Hamilton shot up from fourth to second, while Kimi Antonelli stalled on the grid and was involved in a collision with Isack Hadjar, receiving a 10-second penalty.
In the opening laps, Hamilton and Russell traded the lead with spectacular overtakes and counter-overtakes. By lap 7, Russell established a definitive lead. Charles Leclerc, managing tyre graining carefully, passed Lewis Hamilton to take second place.
On lap 13, the Safety Car was deployed due to Nico Hulkenberg’s retirement. At the restart, Russell extended his lead while Hamilton regained third place from Lando Norris. Kimi Antonelli finished fifth despite the penalty. Max Verstappen suffered a disastrous race, finishing ninth and outside the points.
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