In 2026 the Chinese GP is the second race of the year, held on the 13th – 15th March at the Shanghai International Circuit
2026 Chinese Grand Prix dates
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix weekend starts on Friday the 13th March and finishes on Sunday the 15th March.
The Chinese GP takes place at Shanghai International Circuit and is the second race of the season.
Chinese Grand Prix race weekend format
The 2026 Chinese GP will be a sprint weekend.
Below is the format and duration of the different F1 sessions during the Chinese GP weekend:
Friday 13th March:
- Practice 1 (60 mins)
- Sprint Qualifying (45 mins)
Saturday 14th March:
- Sprint Race (100km)
- Qualifying – Q1 / Q2 / Q3 (60 mins)
Sunday 15th March:
- Grand Prix (120 mins / 56 laps)
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Chinese Grand Prix Schedule 2026
Below is the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix schedule for all F1 practice, qualifying, sprint and race sessions over the course of the weekend.
| 2026 Chinese Grand Prix F1 Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Friday 13th March | Local Time | UK Time |
| Practice 1 | 11:30 - 12:30 | 03:30 - 04:30 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 15:30 - 16:15 | 07:30 - 08:15 |
| Saturday 14th March | ||
| Sprint Race | 11:00 - 12:00 | 03:00 - 04:00 |
| Qualifying | 15:00 - 16:00 | 07:00 - 08:00 |
| Sunday 15th March | ||
| Grand Prix | 15:00 | 07:00 |
2026 China F1 qualifying time
Qualifying for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will take place on Saturday 14th March at 15:00 (3pm) local circuit time.
Qualifying will be split in to three separate sessions called Q1, Q2 and Q3.
All 20 drivers will take part in Q1. Only the fastest 15 of those drivers will progress to Q2. Then, only the 10 fastest drivers from Q2 will move on to the last 10 minute shootout for pole position in Q3.
2026Chinese GP start time
The 2026 Chinese GP will start at 15:00 (3pm) local time on Sunday 15th March.
The Grand Prix will last for a maximum of 120 minutes or 56 laps, whichever is shorter.
What time is the Chinese F1 race in my country?
The Chinese Grand Prix takes place at Shanghai international Circuit. This is in the Chinese Standard Time zone (CST) which is GMT+8.
Below are the start times for all F1 sessions over the Chinese Formula 1 weekend in a number of other time zones.
| Session | China (CST) |
Pacific Time (PT) |
Central Time (CT) |
Eastern Time (ET) |
UK Time (GMT) |
European Time (CET) |
Australia Eastern Time (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 11:30 - 21 Mar | 20:30 (-1) | 22:30 (-1) | 23:30 (-1) | 03:30 | 04:30 | 14:30 |
| Sprint Qual | 15:30 - 21 Mar | 00:30 | 02:30 | 03:30 | 07:30 | 08:30 | 18:30 |
| Sprint Race | 11:00 - 22 Mar | 20:00 (-1) | 22:00 (-1) | 23:00 (-1) | 03:00 | 04:00 | 14:00 |
| Qualifying | 15:00 - 22 Mar | 00:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| Grand Prix | 15:00 - 23 Mar | 00:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 18:00 |
What channel is the Chinese GP on?
UK Formula 1 fans will be able to watch footage of the Chinese Grand Prix live on the Sky Sports F1 channel, but you need a paid subscription to do this.
US viewers will be able to watch it on ESPN.
Pre-race build up usually begins about 60 to 90 minutes prior to the Grand Prix start time.
Race highlights will be available for free in the UK on Channel 4 on the evening on Sunday 15th March.
Information on TV coverage and broadcasters of the F1 internationally can be found on the official Formula 1 website.
Detailed Chinese F1 & motorsport schedule
As well as the Formula 1 there will be other support races hitting the track during the weekend.
For 2026 the support races will be:
- F1 Academy
- Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
| Friday 19th April | |
|---|---|
| 09:25 - 09:50 | FIA F4 Chinese Championship First Practice Session |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | FIA F1 Car Presentation |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | FORMULA 1 FIRST PRACTICE SESSION |
| 13:00 - 13:45 | Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Practice Session |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | Formula 1 Teams' Press Conference |
| 13:55 - 14:35 | Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps |
| 14:00 - 15:00 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 14:35 - 15:05 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 15:30 - 16:14 | FORMULA 1 SPRINT QUALIFYING |
| 17:00 - 17:25 | FIA F4 Chinese Championship Second Practice Session |
| 17:45 - 19:45 | F1 Experiences Track Tour, Trophy Photo & Pit Lane Walk |
| Saturday 20th April | |
|---|---|
| 08:15 - 08:45 | Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice |
| 09:30 - 09:55 | FIA F4 Chinese Championship Qualifying Session |
| 11:00 - 11:30 | FORMULA 1 SPRINT (19 Laps or 60 Mins) |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Formula 1 Press Conference |
| 11:40 - 12:10 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 11:40 - 12:40 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 12:10 - 12:35 | Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps |
| 12:50 - 13:20 | Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying Session |
| 13:55 - 14:30 | FIA F4 Chinese Championship First Race (30 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | FORMULA 1 QUALIFYING |
| 16:00 - 17:00 | Formula 1 Press Conference |
| 16:55 - 17:30 | Porsche Carrera Cup Asia First Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) |
| 17:40 - 18:40 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 17:40 - 18:40 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| Sunday 21st April | |
|---|---|
| 10:15 - 10:50 | FIA F4 Chinese Championship Second Race (30 Mins +1 Lap) |
| 11:30 - 12:05 | Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Second Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) |
| 12:20 - 12:50 | Formula 1 Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps |
| 12:55 - 13:25 | Paddock Club Track Tour |
| 12:55 - 13:55 | Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk |
| 13:00 - 13:30 | Formula 1 Drivers' Parade |
| 14:46 - 14:48 | Formula 1 National Anthem |
| 15:00 - 17:00 | FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS) |
