- Chinese GP (13-15 March)
- Sunday's race: 7am GMT / 3am ET
- Free stream: ORF (AUT)
- Stream safely and securely with NordVPN (Free Amazon gift card)
Watch Chinese Grand Prix 2026 live streams to find out whether the youngest pole sitter, Kimi Antonelli, can turn his excellent qualifying performance into the first race win of his F1 career.
The young Italian had a troubling sprint race where he was slow off the line and also received a 10-second penalty for colliding with Isack Hadjar. Even then, he managed a P5 finish, which shows how powerful the Mercedes package is. As expected, George Russell won the sprint race, albeit not without fighting with the two Ferrari drivers who completed the podium.
The qualifying session in Shanghai had some extra spice, courtesy of George Russell’s late troubles. The British driver didn’t have any battery or tyre temperature readings heading into Q3, and he only had enough time for one lap. He still managed to secure P2, locking out the front row for Mercedes on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc line up on the second row tomorrow. And if the sprint session was any indication, we could be in for a lot of wheel-to-wheel battles, especially in the first few laps.
In other news, Pierre Gasly from Alpine – who is running a Mercedes engine as well – has out-qualified both Red Bull drivers, further intensifying the battle in the midfield and showcasing just how far Max Verstappen is from challenging at the front right now.
Here’s how to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 online from anywhere and potentially for FREE.
Chinese Grand Prix starting grid
1) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
2) George Russell - Mercedes
3) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
4) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
5) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
6) Lando Norris - McLaren
7) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
8) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
9) Isack Hadjar - Red Bull
10) Oliver Bearman - Haas
11) Nico Hulkenberg - Audi
12) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
13) Esteban Ocon - Haas
14) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
15) Arvid Lindblad - Racing Bulls
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Audi
17) Carlos Sainz - Williams
18) Alexander Albon - Williams
19) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
20) Valtteri Bottas - Cadillac
21) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
22) Sergio Perez - Cadillac
Chinese Grand Prix 2026 Schedule
Practice 1: Friday, March 13 | 3:30am GMT / 10:30pm ET (Thu.) – Russell fastest
Sprint qualifying: Friday, March 13 | 7:30am GMT / 2:30am ET – Russell fastest
Sprint race: Saturday, March 14 | 3am GMT / 10pm ET (Fri.) – Russell P1
Qualifying: Saturday, March 14 | 7am GMT / 2am ET – Antonelli pole
Chinese Grand Prix: Sunday, March 15 | 7am GMT / 2am ET
How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 for FREE
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix isn't available for free in every country. However, in these select destinations lucky F1 fans can catch the qualifying, sprint, and the entire race/highlights for FREE.
- Austria – ORF (free live broadcast)
- Belgium – RTBF Auvio (free live broadcast)
- Canada – CTV (free highlights)
- Luxembourg – RTL Zwee (free live broadcast)
- UK – Channel 4 (free highlights)
- Australia – 10Play (free highlights)
- US – Apple TV (free trial) (free live broadcast of every Practice session)
Traveling abroad during the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix? You can use a VPN to watch all the action free of charge as if you were right at home.
How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 from anywhere
🌎 ABROAD? The Chinese Grand Prix 2026 is broadcast in many countries around the world but if you're traveling outside your country you should consider using one of the best VPNs to unlock your domestic streaming service provided it does not infringe any terms and conditions.
How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 in the US
How to watch the Chinese GP 2026 in the UK
How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 in Australia
How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 in Canada
Chinese grand prix 2026 preview
Will the much-debated “super clipping” proves as problematic as experts believe, especially given the Shanghai International Circuit’s long straights? However, the circuit also has several heavy braking zones, particularly in sector two, which could suit the new regulations and make for some exciting wheel-to-wheel battles.
Energy management will again be key this weekend, but the sprint format complicates things slightly, as drivers and teams will have little time to nail their energy deployment tactics.
Speaking of drivers and teams, Mercedes, led by George Russell, head into the race as favorites, but if Ferrari can build on the promise they showed in Albert Park and in the sprint race on Saturday, they could very well challenge at the front.
As for Red Bull, Max Verstappen, speaking during the drivers’ press conference, admitted it’s still too early to know whether they can close the gap to the front. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Andrea Stella noted that the team needs to do a better job of maximizing the raw power of their Mercedes power unit.
There are positives elsewhere too, particularly the tight midfield battle involving Haas, Alpine, Racing Bulls, and Audi. Rookie Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull debutant Isack Hadjar will also be hoping to continue their strong early-season form.
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