The second round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes the championship to Asia with the Chinese Grand Prix, held at the famous Shanghai International Circuit. After the opening race of the season in Australia, the Formula 1 paddock heads to China for a race weekend that promises plenty of action, especially with the return of the Sprint format.
The Shanghai International Circuit, inaugurated in 2004, is widely considered one of the most technical tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. The circuit is particularly well known for its distinctive long spiral opening corner and for the massive straight that stretches for more than one kilometre before one of the heaviest braking zones on the track. With a total length of 5.451 km and 16 corners, the circuit represents a complete challenge for both drivers and teams, testing aerodynamics, braking stability and tyre management throughout the race weekend.
Energy management could also become a crucial factor at this circuit, especially with the new generation of Formula 1 cars introduced in the 2026 season. After the first race of the year in Melbourne, teams will be eager to understand how their cars behave on a completely different layout such as Shanghai.
The weekend will also feature the Sprint format, which makes the schedule even more intense. After just one practice session on Friday, drivers will immediately fight for grid positions in Sprint Qualifying. Saturday will then feature the Sprint race itself before the traditional qualifying session later in the day that will decide the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
After finishing third and fourth in Australia with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari heads to China aiming to challenge Mercedes once again. The Shanghai circuit could provide a clearer picture of the competitive order among the top teams early in the season.
Key Formula 1 session start times – Chinese Grand Prix 2026
Friday, March 13
- First practice session: 11:30 – 12:30 (local time)
- Sprint qualifying: 15:30 – 16:14 (local time)
Saturday, March 14
- Sprint race: 11:00 – 11:30 (local time)
- Qualifying session: 15:00 – 16:00 (local time)
Sunday, March 15
- Drivers’ parade: 13:00 – 13:30 (local time)
- National anthem: 14:44 – 14:46 (local time)
- Grand Prix race start: 15:00 (local time)
The Chinese Grand Prix will be contested over 56 laps or a maximum race duration of 120 minutes. As always, the Shanghai circuit is expected to deliver strategic battles, overtaking opportunities along the long back straight, and another crucial chapter in the early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 championship.
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