Starting Grid and TV Schedule for the 2026 China F1 Sprint
- Published on 13/03/2026 20:38
Join us in Shanghai this Saturday, March 14th at 4:00 AM for the Sprint of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix of F1.
In Shanghai, the first Sprint qualifying session of the F1 2026 season confirmed Mercedes’ strength. George Russell took pole position, just ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, ensuring a front row completely dominated by the three-pointed star.
However, there’s no guarantee that this dominance will automatically translate into leading positions at the exit of the first corner. Lewis Hamilton will start from fourth place and would not oppose replicating the feat of his teammate Charles Leclerc, who had a stunning start from the same position in Melbourne. The Ferraris are formidable in a standing start situation.
Two French drivers in the top 10!
Behind the Mercedes, Lando Norris will occupy the second row, ready to capitalize on any gaps to slip among the leaders. Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc will share the third row, while Pierre Gasly, who had a fantastic session, and Max Verstappen will face off on the fourth, promising some intense battles from the very first turns. The fifth row will consist of Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, rounding out a surprising top 10… beyond the front row, of course!
Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Ocon were eliminated in SQ2, as were Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Arvid Lindblad, and Franco Colapinto. The Williams, Aston Martin, and Cadillac teams logically hit the wall of SQ1. Sergio Pérez did not race due to a mechanical issue preventing him from participating in qualifying.
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With a start scheduled for 4:00 AM this Saturday, March 14th, the Sprint of the Chinese Grand Prix promises to be thrilling. The tight positions and variety of strategies could lead to an explosive start and provide intense action on the Shanghai circuit. Overtakes, surprises, and total suspense from the very first moments of the race warrant an early wake-up call.
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This page is translated from the original post "Grille de départ et horaires TV du Sprint F1 de Chine 2026" in French.
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