Formula 1 has set the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Chinese GP Sprint, which will be held this Saturday at the Shanghai circuit. The short race takes place at 00h00 Brasília time (GMT -3) and promises to shake up the second round of the season.
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The front row will be all Mercedes, with George Russell on pole position and Kimi Antonelli alongside him. Right behind are Lando Norris, from McLaren, and Lewis Hamilton, with Ferrari.
Check out the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Chinese GP Sprint:
1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes)
8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
9. Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
10. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
12. Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
14. G.Bortoleto (Audi)
15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes)
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
18. Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda)
21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari)
22. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari)
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The Sprint opens Formula 1’s Saturday in Shanghai and precedes the qualifying session that will define the starting grid for Sunday’s main race. The result of the short race can also influence the teams’ strategies and expectations for the rest of the weekend.
