F1 Chinese GP 2026 Weekend Schedule: Start Times for Practice, Sprint, Qualifying & Race
(Courtesy : Getty)
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix will be the second race of the season.
After a blockbuster inaugural race in Australia, it is time to set our eyes on China. The 2026 F1 season started at the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit on Sunday, March 8, where George Russell secured a resounding triumph for Mercedes. Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the second spot, while Charles Leclerc also commenced his campaign with a podium finish.
It was not a good day for home fans in Australia, as Oscar Piastri crashed during the sighting lap, courtesy of an unexpected spike in his car’s power. Nevertheless, due to his third-placed finish last season, only behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, the Aussie would aim to return to form in Shanghai.
Despite five drivers recording DNFs and DNSs, the Grand Prix still offered fans many thrilling moments, as Mercedes and Ferrari engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle.
While the contest for a podium finish between the top constructors is expected to continue, it would be interesting to see how other teams try to break into the top ranks.
On the same note, let’s take a look at the schedule of the 2026 Chinese GP schedule.
Friday, March 13
The Chinese GP, held at the Shanghai International Circuit, features a special sprint race format. On Friday, the drivers will feature in a free practice session.
Chinese GP Free Practice Session Timings
- India: 09:00 – 10:00 IST
- Shanghai Track Time: 11:30 – 12:30
- United States & Canada: 20:30 – 21:30 PT, 23:30 – 00:30 ET (Previous day: March 12)
- Mexico City: 21:30 – 22:30 CST (Previous day: March 12)
- United Kingdom: 03:30 – 04:30 GMT
- Brazil (São Paulo): 00:30 – 01:30 BRT
- Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 04:30 – 05:30 CET
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 06:30 – 07:30 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 07:30 – 08:30 GST/AZT
- Singapore: 11:30 – 12:30 SGT
- Japan: 12:30 – 13:30 JST
- Australia: 14:30 – 15:30 AEDT
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Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying Timings
- India: 13:00 – 13:44 IST
- China Track Time: 15:30 – 16:14
- United States & Canada: 12:30 – 01:14 PT, 03:30 – 04:14 ET
- United Kingdom: 07:30 – 08:14 GMT
- Mexico City: 01:30 – 02:14 CST
- Brazil (São Paulo): 04:30 – 05:14 BRT
- Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 08:30 – 09:14 CET
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 10:30 – 11:14 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 11:30 – 12:14 GST/AZT
- Singapore: 15:30 – 16:14 SGT
- Japan: 16:30 – 17:14 JST
- Australia: 18:30 – 19:14 AEDT
March 14, Saturday
The sprint race will take place on Saturday, along with the qualifying round, during which drivers aim to set their best time to secure a good position for the final race.
Chinese GP Sprint Race Timings
- India: 08:30 – 09:30 IST
- China Track Time: 11:00 – 12:00
- United States & Canada: 20:00 – 21:00 PT, 23:00 – 00:00 ET (Previous day: March 13)
- Mexico City: 21:00 – 22:00 CST (Previous day: March 12)
- United Kingdom: 03:00 – 04:00 GMT
- Brazil (São Paulo): 00:00 – 01:00 BRT
- Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 04:00 – 05:00 CET
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 06:00 – 07:00 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 07:00 – 08:00 GST/AZT
- Singapore: 11:00 – 12:00 SGT
- Japan: 12:00 – 13:00 JST
- Australia: 14:00 – 15:00 AEDT
Chinese GP Qualifying Timings
- India: 12:30 – 13:30 IST
- Shanghai International Circuit: 15:00 – 16:00
- United States & Canada: 12:00 – 01:00 PT, 03:00 – 04:00 ET
- United Kingdom: 07:00 – 08:00 GMT
- Mexico City: 01:00 – 02:00 CST
- Brazil (São Paulo): 04:00 – 05:00 BRT
- Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 08:00 – 09:00 CET
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 10:00 – 11:00 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 11:00 – 12:00 GST/AZT
- Singapore: 15:00 – 16:00 SGT
- Japan: 16:00 – 17:00 JST
- Australia: 18:00 – 19:00 AEDT
What time does the Chinese GP start in India?
The second race of the 2026 F1 season, the Chinese Grand Prix, will start on Sunday, March 15, at 12:30 IST.
Sunday, March 15
Chinese GP Race Timings
- India: 12:30 IST
- Shanghai International Circuit: 15:00
- United States & Canada: 12:00 PT, 03:00 ET
- United Kingdom: 07:00 GMT
- Mexico City: 01:00 CST
- Brazil (São Paulo): 04:00 BRT
- Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Monaco, Germany, France, Hungary, Belgium, Spain (Europe): 08:00 CET
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar: 10:00 AST
- UAE & Azerbaijan: 11:00 GST/AZT
- Singapore: 15:00 SGT
- Japan: 16:00 JST
- Australia: 18:00 AEDT
Last year, Oscar Piastri won the race after securing the pole position in the qualifying round. His teammate, Lando Norris, finished second while George Russell was third.
With a glorious start in the first race of the season, Russell would aim to capitalise on the confidence and win; however, he would have to face the likes of Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and more before lifting the prize.
Who is the most successful driver in the Chinese GP?
Lewis Hamilton, with six titles, is the most successful driver in the Chinese GP.
Who won the Chinese GP last year?
Oscar Piastri won the Chinese GP last year.
Where and how to watch Formula 1 2026 in India?
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