Formula 1 returns to the track early this morning to start the 2026 Chinese GP, the second round of the season, at the traditional Shanghai International Circuit. For Brazilian fans, the first practice sessions take place between Thursday night and Friday morning, Brasília time.
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Even though it is officially Friday’s schedule, activities begin in the early hours, which makes many fans wonder if “there is F1 today”. The answer is yes, as the first practice of the weekend takes place in the early hours of the day in Brazil.
FP1 for the Chinese GP is scheduled for 00h30 this Friday (13), Brasília time (GMT -3). The session opens the weekend with a Sprint, which will have only one practice session before the qualifying session that defines the Sprint grid.
Later, at 04h30, the Sprint qualifying takes place, the session that defines the starting grid for Saturday’s short race. This reduced format increases the importance of FP1, as it will be the only opportunity for adjustments before the first competitive session of the weekend.
The Chinese GP Sprint will be held in the early hours of Saturday (14), starting at 00h00. On the same day, at 04h00, the drivers return to the track for the qualifying session that defines the starting grid for the main race.
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The Chinese GP race will be held on Sunday (15), also at 04h00 in the morning Brasília time. The Shanghai circuit usually offers good battles, mainly because of the long back straight, one of the main overtaking points on the track.
F1MANIA.NET will provide full coverage of all Chinese GP activities with real-time text. The coverage includes FP1, Sprint qualifying, the Sprint, qualifying for the race, and Sunday’s GP.
Those who want to follow the sessions with images can watch on F1 TV Pro, which broadcasts all weekend activities live. Sportv also broadcasts all sessions live, including practice, the Sprint, qualifying, and the race.
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TV Globo will not broadcast any activity from this Formula 1 round live.
Check out the full Chinese GP schedule in Brasília time (GMT -3):
Sexta-feira, 13/03/2026
Free Practice 1 – 00h30
Sprint Qualifying – 04h30
Sábado, 14/03/2026
Sprint – 00h00
Qualifying – 04h00
Domingo, 15/03/2026
Race – 04h00
