Formula 1 has set the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Chinese GP after the qualifying session held this Saturday in Shanghai. The front row will be all Mercedes, with young Kimi Antonelli on pole position and George Russell starting right alongside him.
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The result puts the German team in a privileged position for this Sunday’s race, but the pressure will be immediate. Right behind are the two Ferraris, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc occupying the second row of the starting grid.
The third row will be formed by the two McLaren drivers. Oscar Piastri starts from fifth position, while Lando Norris will start right behind, in sixth.
Among the highlights of the grid is also the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. The Audi driver secured 16th position in qualifying and will have the mission of seeking positions throughout the race at the Shanghai circuit.
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The Chinese GP race is scheduled for this Sunday, with the start set for 04:00 AM Brasília time (GMT -3).
Check out the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Chinese GP:
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes)
8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
10. Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes)
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
18. Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda)
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari)
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda)
22. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari)
The expectation is for an intense battle right from the first laps, especially between Mercedes and Ferrari, who share the first two rows of the starting grid. Tire strategy and race pace could be decisive in determining the winner of the Chinese round of Formula 1.
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