The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix.
After a season-opener in Australia that saw pre-race shocks, drama at the start, overtakes galore and eventual victory for Mercedes’ George Russell , F1 heads to Shanghai for Round 2 – and the first F1 Sprint of the year.
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THE FIRST SPRINT OF THE SEASON
Since it began in 2021, the F1 Sprint weekend has become a fan favourite and few venues deliver it quite like Shanghai. The format returns to China for 2026, with the condensed nature of the Sprint itself often delivering drama.
Last year, Lewis Hamilton took Sprint victory in Shanghai – his first visit to the top step with the Scuderia – saying afterwards: “Starting from first and winning in a Ferrari is next level, man. It's mega.”
ABOUT SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
The circuit’s pleasant form when seen from the air – it’s designed to look like the Chinese symbol for ‘shang’, meaning upwards – is equally pleasing to the racers on terra firma, as there's plenty of overtaking opportunities.
There’s a unique start to the lap as the cars fly into the ever-tightening Turns 1 and 2, before they dart left through 3 and 4. The super-high g force Turns 7 and 8 are loved by the drivers, while the circuit also features one of the longest straights on the calendar, the 1.2km stretch that separates Turns 13 and 14.
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UP NEXT
2. Chinese GP (Shanghai International Circuit), March 15
Friday, 13 March. SS Motorsport, Maximo 1
Practice 1: 5:25am.
Sprint qualifying: 9:25am.
Saturday, 14 March. SS Motorsport, Maximo 1
Sprint: 4:55am.
Qualifying: 8:55am.
Sunday, 15 March. SS Motorsport, Maximo 1
Race: 8:55am.
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NEXT THREE RACES (Bahrain and Saudi Arabia TBC due to Middle East crisis)
Japanese GP (Suzuka Circuit), March 29
Bahrain GP (Bahrain International Circuit), April 12
Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah Street Circuit), April 19
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