F1 | 2026 Chinese Grand Prix: TV Schedule and Preview

After the first race of the season in Melbourne, with George Russell winning ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, the Formula 1 circus is already on its way to Shanghai, where the Chinese Grand Prix will be held this weekend. The new Formula 1 car made its debut in Australia, but the new regulations haven't met with unanimous approval from the drivers. Already after the first race, several top drivers expressed concerns and criticism about the new cars' performance.

The new F1 doesn't convince the drivers: Tombazis and Domenicali preach calm

Max Verstappen has expressed dissatisfaction with the behavior of the new cars, calling the handling "unnatural" after a qualifying accident and arguing that these cars are more difficult to control smoothly than in the past. Much of the criticism concerns the management of the power units' electrical components: drivers like Lewis Hamilton and others have highlighted how the high percentage of electric motors (and the so-called "lift and coast" required when cornering) makes the driver's role less significant in some respects and more focused on energy management than pure driving on the track.

In response to these discontents, the technical director of the FIA, Nicholas Tombazis, acknowledged that some criticisms "should not be ignored," emphasizing the importance of collecting data during races to evaluate possible regulatory adjustments. Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali also called for calm, defending the new rules as part of a transition to a more sustainable future, but confirming that any changes will be discussed with teams and drivers.

Chinese Grand Prix: Schedule and Live Stream

The standard weekend format has changed with the first Sprint Race of the season. The race begins on Friday at 04:30 AM with the first and only Free Practice session; the track returns at 08:30 AM with Sprint Qualifying. The Sprint Race will take place on Saturday at 04:00 AM, followed by Qualifying at 08:00 AM. The lights will go out on Sunday the 15th at 08:00 AM, marking the start of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The live TV broadcast will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sport F1 (channel 207), while the delayed broadcast will be on TV8 (times to be determined). We remind you that you can follow the motorsports weekend on our website, F1GrandPrix, with live text, news, and real-time updates.

Chinese Grand Prix: How it went in 2025

In the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix held on the track of Shanghai, The race featured some dramatic twists and turns, with a completely redesigned finale following the post-race technical checks. The race, marked by severe tyre degradation on the new asphalt and variable strategies, was won by Oscar piastri, who managed his pace and tyres to the best of his ability to take first place in the standings. Behind him closed Lando Norris, completing a one-two for McLaren, while the podium was completed by George Russell with Mercedes.

The race also saw an important post-race development: the drivers Classic Ferrari for sale, Charles Leclerc e Lewis Hamilton (winner of the Sprint Race, ed.), as well as Pierre Gasly with Alpine, they were disqualified after the race for technical irregularities: Leclerc for weighing below the regulatory minimum and Hamilton for wearing the floor beyond the permitted limits.

With these decisions, the final standings for the 2025 Chinese GP were as follows:

1. Oscar piastri (McLaren)

2. Lando Norris (McLaren)

3. George Russell (Mercedes)

4. Max Verstappen (Redbull)

5. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

7. Alexander albon (Williams)

8. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

9. Lance stroll (Aston-Martin)

10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

The disqualification of the two Ferrari drivers therefore opened up opportunities for other teams in the championship points standings, with Ocon and Antonelli climbing the standings and Bearman scoring important points for his team.

Chinese Grand Prix: Circuit trivia

Built in 2002, the Shanghai International Circuit hosted the first Formula 1 race in 2004. Special polyester foundations were used to cope with the marshy terrain on which the track rests. The construction costs of the entire complex, one of the largest in the world, are close to 450 million dollars. The paddock area is very large and full of cutting-edge architecture, such as the nine-story control tower, and the two structures that develop above the track where the press room and various hospitality areas are located, not to mention the area reserved for the teams, built as if it were a large stilt house just above a pond. The track has a wide roadway; the main stands are covered with special roofs in the shape of a lotus flower, the official symbol of the Shanghai area. Seen from above, the track vaguely resembles the Shàng ideogram, from which the city's name derives.

Distance per lap: 5,451 km

Number of curves: 16, nine on the right and seven on the left

Direction of travel: clockwise

Special features of the track: Shanghai is a particularly technical track, for which it is necessary to have a perfectly aerodynamic single-seater. Here the aerodynamic load is of considerable importance, especially for traction when exiting slow corners. As for the mobile wing, it can be activated on the two long straights, strategic points for overtaking by exploiting the opponent's slipstream. The smooth surface of the asphalt is a help for the teams as it greatly facilitates the search for the right setup.

Chinese Grand Prix: Roll of Honor

2004 R Barrichello – Ferrari
2005 F Alonso – Renault
2006 M Schumacher – Ferrari
2007 K Raikkonen – Ferrari
2008 L Hamilton – McLaren Mercedes
2009 S Vettel – Red Bull Renault
2010 J Button – McLaren Mercedes
2011 L Hamilton – McLaren Mercedes
2012 N Rosberg – Mercedes
2013 F Alonso – Ferrari
2014 L Hamilton – Mercedes
2015 L Hamilton – Mercedes
2016 N Rosberg – Mercedes
2017 L Hamilton – Mercedes
2018 D Ricciardo – Red Bull
2019 L Hamilton – Mercedes
2024 M Verstappen – Red Bull
2025 O Plates – McLaren