Formula 1 returns this weekend for the Chinese Grand Prix, the second round of the 2026 season and the first event with the sprint format of the championship. The round takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit and marks the first weekend bringing together the sprint and the main race.
Read more Audi debuts with points and Bortoleto shows potential in promising F1 2026 start
The season began with relative dominance from Mercedes. George Russell won the Australian GP, the opening round held in Melbourne, and took the lead of the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in his career. The German team also celebrated a 1-2 finish with Kimi Antonelli in second position, while Charles Leclerc put Ferrari on the podium by finishing third.
The Australian race also marked a historic moment for Audi in Formula 1. The German manufacturer officially debuted in the category after taking over the Sauber structure and has already earned its first points in the championship. Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto finished in the points zone and secured the team’s first positive result in this new phase.
Now the championship moves to Shanghai, a 5,451 km circuit known for its long straights and good overtaking opportunities. The layout requires good aerodynamic balance and tire management, especially in the long-radius corners that characterize the Chinese track.
Read more Russell wins in the debut of the new F1 and Ferrari shows it can challenge Mercedes
The Chinese GP will also be the first event with a sprint race of the season. In this format, the weekend features only one free practice session before the sprint qualifying that defines the grid for Saturday’s short race. Meanwhile, traditional qualifying remains responsible for determining the grid for Sunday’s main race.
The Chinese Grand Prix race will have 56 laps.
In Brazil, the race will be broadcast by Globo on free-to-air TV. All sessions of the weekend, including free practice, sprint qualifying, sprint race, and qualifying, will be shown by Sportv. Another option is the category’s official streaming service, the F1 TV Pro.
Check the Formula 1 Chinese GP times (Brasília time):
Friday – March 13
Free Practice – 00h30
Sprint Qualifying – 04h30
Saturday – March 14
Sprint Race – 00h00
Qualifying – 04h00
Sunday – March 15
Race – 04h00
F1Mania.net follows all activities of the Chinese GP in real-time, with complete coverage, news, analysis, and everything that happens in the second round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Read more F1: Verstappen compares midfield battle to “Mario Kart”
