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The World Drivers’ Championship standings<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how the drivers\u2019 standings look following the completion of the Melbourne grand prix and the sprint race earlier today.<\/p>\n
George Russell, Mercedes, 33<\/p>\n
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 22<\/p>\n
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 22<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 18<\/p>\n
Lando Norris, McLaren, 15<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 8<\/p>\n
Oliver Bearman, Haas, 7<\/p>\n
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, 4<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 3<\/p>\n
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi, 2<\/p>\n
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, 2<\/p>\n
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, 1<\/p>\n
Esteban Ocon, Haas<\/p>\n
Alexander Albon, Williams<\/p>\n
Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n
Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n
Sergio Perez, Cadillac<\/p>\n
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi<\/p>\n
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin<\/p>\n
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac<\/p>\n
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n What were the other major takeaways from our season-opening race in Melbourne?<\/p>\n Well, you won\u2019t be surprised to learn that the (increasingly furious) debate surrounding the new regulations governing the sport played a big role, with Lando Norris declaring the state of affairs \u201csucks\u201d and Leclerc saying that \u201cThis is like the mushroom in Mario Kart.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The F1 Academy is currently out on the Shanghai circuit, staging their first race of the season.<\/p>\n With a safety car bunching the pack up on lap eight of 13, Nina Gademan leads the pack in her Alpine, followed by Natalia Granada, and Rafaela Ferreira.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n For all the talk of the Mercedes\u2019 speed we\u2019ve been doing throughout this young season, Hamilton believes that Ferrari has what it takes to challenge the German team this year.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re after a full wrap-up of the first sprint race of the campaign then don\u2019t worry, Giles Richards has you covered.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Joey Lynch<\/p>\n Howdy all, it\u2019s ya boi Joey Lynch here and welcome to the Guardian\u2019s live coverage of the 2026 Formula One<\/a> world championship, continuing today with qualifying from the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.<\/p>\n After last week\u2019s one-two finish in Melbourne, Mercedes have already flexed their muscle in the Magic City, with championship leader George Russell winning from pole in the sprint race staged earlier today<\/a>. He didn\u2019t have it all his own way, coming under significant pressure from the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, with nobody yet showing that they\u2019re capable of going with the Mercedes in this new era of regulations \u2013 aside from maybe Ferrari at lights out \u2013 Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli will be considered the favourites once more.<\/p>\n Will they actually be able to deliver, though, or can Ferrari upset the party? Can McLaren find some pace? Will Max Verstappen ever smile again? We\u2019re about to find out.<\/p>\n Qualifying in Shanghai starts at 3pm local\/6pm AEDT\/7am GMT.<\/p>\n