Chinese GP 2026 sprint qualifying results: Full F1 lap times in Shanghai – UK Times

Formula 1 heads to China for the second race of the season at the Shanghai International Circuit – and the first sprint weekend of the 2026 season.

Mercedes made a strong statement at the season-opener in Australia, ushering in F1’s new era with a one-two finish led by title favourite George Russell, ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Charles Leclerc secured a podium for Ferrari, who were Mercedes’s closest challengers in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and is still chasing his first grand prix top-three finish for the Scuderia. Last year in China, he won the sprint race before a crushing double disqualification in the race.

Max Verstappen voiced his dissatisfaction with the new F1 regulations, especially the energy management aspect of the 2026 cars, and has not ruled out quitting the sport. Defending champion Lando Norris finished fifth as McLaren looked short of pace compared to Mercedes, while Oscar Piastri is looking to bounce back after a devastating pre-race crash at his home event.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Chinese Grand Prix.

Full Chinese GP sprint qualifying results:

1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:31:520

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.289*

3. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.621

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.641

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.704

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +1.008

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.368*

8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.734

9. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +1.889

10. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +2.203

Out in Q2

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 1:33:635

12. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:33:639

13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:33:714

14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 1:33:774

15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 1:34:048

16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1:34:327

Out in Q1

17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:34:761

18. Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:35.305

19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:35.581

20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:36.151

21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadilac) – 1:37.378

22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – DNS

*Antonelli and Gasly are under investigation for impeding in sprint qualifying

When is the Chinese Grand Prix?

All times GMT

Saturday 14 March

Sunday 15 March

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The Chinese Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 5:30am (GMT).

Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Shanghai on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Chinese Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.

Driver standings ahead of Chinese GP

1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 25 points

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 18 points

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 15 points

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 12 points

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 10 points

6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 8 points

7. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 6 points

8. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 4 points

9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1 point

11. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 0 points

12. Alex Albon (Williams) – 0 points

13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 0 points

14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points

15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 0 points

16. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points

17. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 0 points

18. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 0 points

19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 0 points

20. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points

21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points

Constructor standings ahead of Chinese GP

1. Mercedes – 43 points

2. Ferrari – 27 points

3. McLaren – 10 points

4. Red Bull – 8 points

5. Haas – 6 points

6. Racing Bulls – 4 points

7. Audi – 2 points

8. Alpine – 1 point

9. Williams – 0 points

10. Cadillac – 0 points

11. Aston Martin – 0 points

What is the 2026 race calendar?

ROUND 2 – CHINA (sprint weekend)

Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March

ROUND 3 – JAPAN

Suzuka International Racing Course – 27-29 March

ROUND 4 – BAHRAIN

Bahrain International Circuit – 10-12 April

ROUND 5 – SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah Corniche Circuit – 17-19 April

ROUND 6 – MIAMI (sprint weekend)

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium – 1-3 May

ROUND 7 – CANADA (sprint weekend)

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal – 22-24 May

ROUND 8 – MONACO

Circuit de Monaco – 5-7 June

ROUND 9 – SPAIN (Barcelona)

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 12-14 June

ROUND 10 – AUSTRIA

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 26-28 June

ROUND 11 – GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)

Silverstone Circuit – 3-5 July

ROUND 12 – BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 17-19 July

ROUND 13 – HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest – 24-26 July

ROUND 14 – NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)

Circuit Zandvoort – 21-23 August

ROUND 15 – ITALY

Monza Circuit – 4-6 September

ROUND 16 – SPAIN (Madrid)

Circuito de Madring – 11-13 September

ROUND 17 – AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit – 25-27 September

ROUND 18 – SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)

Marina Bay Street Circuit – 9-11 October

ROUND 19 – UNITED STATES

Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 23-25 October

ROUND 20 – MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 30 October-1 November

ROUND 21 – BRAZIL

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 6-8 November

ROUND 22 – LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit – 19-21 November

ROUND 23 – QATAR

Lusail International Circuit – 27-29 November

ROUND 24 – ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit – 4-6 December