2026 Chinese Grand Prix: Fast Facts

The first Sprint weekend will take place in Shanghai. At the second round of the championship, as happened last year, the first of six 19‑lap short races scheduled for 2026 will be held on Saturday.

The tyre selection for the Chinese Grand Prix weekend remains unchanged since the circuit returned to the championship calendar two years ago. Teams will use C2, C3 and C4 to tackle the 5.451-kilometre track.

The Shanghai International Circuit, whose layout resembles the shang ideogram meaning “upward”, features two main straights and sixteen corners. The first straight connects Turn 13 (slightly banked) to Turn 14, while the second, over one kilometre long, hosts the starting grid.

Some corners are very fast, such as the S section formed by turns 7 and 8, while others are much slower, like the combinations of turns 1 and 3, 6, and 14. These sequences, combined with the high‑speed sections, make the track demanding on tyres and pose a challenge for energy recovery with the new power units.

It will be interesting to see whether drivers can avoid the frequent corner‑entry lock‑ups seen at the Sakhir circuit during pre‑season testing, where some heavy braking zones were similar to those in China.

The Shanghai track was completely resurfaced in August 2024. The new asphalt significantly increased grip, consequently reducing lap times. However, the smoother surface generated graining in 2025, particularly on the front axle, which became a limiting factor that year, especially during the Sprint. The phenomenon, however, diminished in intensity on Sunday thanks to track evolution.

One year later, the circuit should be slightly more aged and, although still smoother than most others, grip levels may be lower, as should the likelihood of experiencing graining on the tyre sets. This hypothesis can already be assessed in the opening track sessions.

The lap‑time simulations received by the teams are close to last year’s performance figures. Despite having completely different cars, the SM zones evidently compensate for the drop in speed of the new generation of cars compared to the previous one.

China By The Numbers

This year marks the nineteenth edition of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai circuit. The first race, won by Rubens Barrichello, took place in 2004. The event remained on the calendar without interruption until 2019, then returned in 2024.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes hold the record for the most victories at the Chinese track, with six wins each. The British driver is also the record holder for podium finishes, with nine, followed by Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel with six each.

Only three drivers in 2025 chose the Hard compound at the start of the Chinese Grand Prix, while the rest of the grid opted for the Medium. The Soft compound was not used during Sunday’s race. The most common strategy was a one‑stop, with a long final stint on the hardest tyre, which on track had shown less tendency to grain and consistent performance even over high mileage. The drivers who finished on the podium pitted between laps fourteen and fifteen. Victory went to Oscar Piastri, with teammate Lando Norris in second place. George Russell completed the podium.

How to Watch the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Chinese Grand Prix will be available through Apple TV. Apple TV is the new U.S. home of Formula 1 in 2026. With Apple TV, you also get access to hundreds of Apple Original shows and movies, live MLB games, and all of MLS, at no additional cost.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Chinese Grand Prix Fast Facts

• Shanghai International Circuit holds special memories for the Mercedes team, having been the site of their first win since returning to the sport when Nico Rosberg triumphed in 2012.
• In 2005, the circuit hosted the season finale for the one and only time.
• The first seven Chinese Grand Prix were all won by different drivers.
• Mercedes claimed six consecutive pole positions at the track between 2012 and 2017.
• In 2019, the track hosted the 1,000th F1 Grand Prix race, known as F1000.
• Shanghai will once again host the first F1 Sprint race weekend of the season in 2026, having also done so in 2024 and 2025.
• In 2025, George Russell’s P3 finish was the 300th podium for Mercedes as a works team in F1.
• For 2026, China will host the first round of the F1 ACADEMY season.
• Since their maiden victory here in Shanghai in 2009, Oracle Red Bull Racing has recorded 130 Grand Prix wins – more than any other constructor in that time.
• Sunday’s race marks 11 years since Max made his Formula One debut for Toro Rosso aged just 17 years old. He remains the youngest starter in F1 history.
• Verstappen secured the 100th pole position of his career in China at the 2024 Grand Prix, where he went on to win the race.

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Written by

Jarrod Partridge

Jarrod Partridge is the Co-Founder of F1 Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following Formula 1. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered F1 races at circuits around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, driver profile, and technical analysis he writes.

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