Formula 1 returns to Shanghai for second race of 2026 season
The Chinese Grand Prix takes place this weekend at Shanghai International Circuit with sprint format. George Russell leads the championship after winning in Australia.
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Formula 1 continues its 2026 season this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit, the second race of the championship following the opening round in Melbourne.
George Russell leads the standings after his victory at Albert Park, where Mercedes secured a one-two finish. Ferrari finished third and fourth through Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton respectively, though both Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz reported different errors during the Australian race.
The Shanghai weekend will feature the sprint format for the first time this season. Teams and drivers will have only one free practice session to adjust their cars before the sprint qualifying and race. The schedule runs from Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, with all sessions broadcast on Fox Sports, Disney+ Premium, and F1TV.
Franco Colapinto will compete for Alpine in his second race of the season after finishing 14th in Australia, where teammate Pierre Gasly placed 10th. The Argentine driver is aiming to score his first points of the campaign.
Shanghai International Circuit has hosted the Chinese Grand Prix since its debut in 2004. The race was absent from the calendar for four seasons between 2020 and 2023 due to the pandemic before returning in 2024. The track is known as a fast and technical layout that typically produces races with significant strategic elements, particularly regarding aerodynamics and tire management.
Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix for McLaren after a solid performance that saw him dominate much of the race. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most victories at Shanghai with six wins across 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg each have two victories at the circuit.
Mercedes demonstrated clear dominance in Melbourne, with observers noting the team's advantage extends beyond engine power. Several teams, including Aston Martin, used the Australian race to test car reliability and Honda engine performance ahead of Shanghai.
The Shanghai circuit features a 1.2-kilometer straight, raising questions about how battery management will affect performance during the weekend's sessions and races.