The 2026 Formula One season is underway with new cars, new teams and new drivers.

With all the pit-lane talk surrounding the controversial new hybrid power units, Mercedes dominated the opening round with a 1-2 finish in Melbourne ahead of the two Ferraris. 

Meanwhile Australia’s Oscar Piastri didn’t even start the Grand Prix after crashing his McLaren on the warm-up lap.

Now the action switches quickly to Shanghai, China for Round 2 where the drivers will also compete in the first Sprint race of the 2026 season.

To be raced over 56 x 5.451km laps, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 is finally here and for all your time, TV and streaming details look no further than The Sporting News for a full guide.

F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Weekend Schedule

Friday, 13 March

Practice 1

2:30 p.m. (AEDT)

Friday, 13 March

Sprint Qualifying

6:30 p.m. (AEDT)

Saturday, 14 March

Sprint Race (19 laps)

2:30 p.m. (AEDT)

Saturday, 14 March

Qualifying

6:00 p.m. (AEDT)

Sunday, 15 March

Race

6:00 p.m. (AEDT)

F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Start Time

The F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday March 15 and begin at 3:00 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that start time translates across Australia:

 

Date

Start time

AEDT

Sun, Mar. 15

6:00 p.m.

AEST

Sun, Mar. 15

5:00 p.m.

ACDT

Sun, Mar. 15

5:30 p.m.

AWST

Sun, Mar. 15

3:00 p.m.

F1 Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel, live stream details

Free-to-air channel:

n/a

Subscription channel:

Fox Sports

Live stream:

Kayo, F1 TV

There is no live free-to-air coverage of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 in Australia.

All the action from Shanghai will be available to watch live on Fox Sports and via streaming service Kayo Sports which has a $1 FIRST MONTH offer for new subscribers.

Fans can also follow the race through the official F1 TV streaming service which provides live timing insights and a vast library of on-demand content. Accessible via the web and app stores, F1 TV offers both Pro and Premium subscription plans, with new users eligible for a seven-day trial.

2026 Formula 1 Season – Upcoming Races 

27-29 March

Japanese Grand Prix

Suzuka

10-13 April

Bahrain Grand Prix*

Bahrain

17-19 April

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix*

Jeddah

1-3 May

Miami Grand Prix

Miami

22-24 May

Canadian Grand Prix

Montreal

* Both races are set to be cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

F1 Drivers World Championship 2026 standings, points

Position

Driver

Team

Points

1.

George Russell

Mercedes

25

2.

Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes

18

3.

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

15

4.

Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari

12

5.

Lando Norris

McLaren

10

6.

Max Verstappen

Red Bull

8

7.

Oliver Bearman

Haas

6

8.

Arvid Lindblad

Racing Bulls

4

9.

Gabriel Bortoleto

Audi

2

10.

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

1

11.

Esteban Ocon

Haas

0

12.

Alexander Albon

Williams

0

13.

Liam Lawson

Racing Bulls

0

14.

Franco Colapinto

Alpine

0

15.

Carlos Sainz

Williams

0

16.

Sergio Perez

Cadillac

0

17.

Isack Hadjar

Red Bull Racing

0

18.

Oscar Piastri

McLaren

0

19.

Nico Hulkenberg

Audi

0

20.

Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin

0

21.

Valtteri Bottas

Cadillac

0

 

Lance Stroll

Aston Martin

Unclassified