F1 2026: Chinese GP - Shanghai (Mar 15)

<b><span class="theme-aware-color" style="--user-color: Red;"><span style="display: inline-block; font-size: 113%; line-height: 1.45;">F1 2026: Chinese GP - Shangai (Mar 15)</span></span></b>

2025:

(source: HERE)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026/china
(adjusts to your local time/date depending on your browsers/internet settings)
This is a sprint race weekend, so points can be earned on both the saterday and sunday.

Shanghai International Circuit



Circuit stats:
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.451 km
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 (Michael Schumacher 2004)

Onboard Lap:
(2025 Oscar Piastri pole lap)
2025 thread:
F1 2025: Chinese GP - Shanghai (Mar 23)

2025 race highlights:
2025 Lollipopman Comics:

So what are your predictions?

Last Sunday we saw how things really played out. Yes Mercedes is definately as fast as was predicted last year by most of us. To quote princess George: "I like this car.....I like this engine!"
But Ferrari was a real surprise. The lightning start was already somewhat predicted, but they really held their pace throughout the race far above expected. Well done to that team! Of course strategy is still....nothing new here
However you still see drivers figuring out the best way to use the available electric power to it's maximum.
And what about Max, after a failed qualification moving up from 20th on the grid all the way to 6th place! But the RB has issues. Tyrewear is very much a thing and reliability might become one too, however, as a totally new engine manufacturer they did pretty good, as LIN also scored points in the B team Vcarb in his first race ever!
Biggest disappointment was probably AMR, with their cars basically shaking themselves apart. Not what I expected of Newey+Honda+unlimitedly funded new factory complex alas.

So how will that play out in China?
This is my prediction:

1. ANT
2. RUS
3. LEC
4. PIA
5. VER
6. HAM
7. NOR
8. HAD
9. BEA
10. LIN

For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

It is not even close who Vegas thinks is winning in China.

Russell -115
Kimi +600
Charles +650
Lewis +850
Max +900

M3WC wrote

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

$hit, the Ferrari start advantage is REAL. Charlie looked like he was shot from a gun

11:00pm Friday sprint race start for those of us in the Eastern Time Zone

I think Ferrari and especially Mercedes will have a fairly big margin to the McLarens. The Red Bulls are somewhere in between there, but I'm not sure if it's closer to Ferrari or closer to McLaren.

M3WC wrote

It is not even close who Vegas thinks is winning in China.

Russell -115
Kimi +600
Charles +650
Lewis +850
Max +900

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.
2. LEC
3. HAD (if battery and hydraulics hold out
4. PIA
5. NOR
6. RUS
7. LEW
8. LIN
9. SAI
10. HUL

M3WC wrote

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

It's a randomized automated system, duration between 0.2 and 3 seconds.

GuidoK wrote

So what are your predictions?

Last Sunday we saw how things really played out. Yes Mercedes is definately as fast as was predicted last year by most of us. To quote princess George: "I like this car.....I like this engine!"
But Ferrari was a real surprise. The lightning start was already somewhat predicted, but they really held their pace throughout the race far above expected. Well done to that team! Of course strategy is still....nothing new here
However you still see drivers figuring out the best way to use the available electric power to it's maximum.
And what about Max, after a failed qualification moving up from 20th on the grid all the way to 6th place! But the RB has issues. Tyrewear is very much a thing and reliability might become one too, however, as a totally new engine manufacturer they did pretty good, as LIN also scored points in the B team Vcarb in his first race ever!
Biggest disappointment was probably AMR, with their cars basically shaking themselves apart. Not what I expected of Newey+Honda+unlimitedly funded new factory complex alas.

So how will that play out in China?
This is my prediction:

1. ANT
2. RUS
3. LEC
4. PIA
5. VER
6. HAM
7. NOR
8. HAD
9. BEA
10. LIN

For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

My prediction for China will be:
1. Max
2. Kimi
3. Charles
4. Lando
5. Lewis
6. Oscar
7. Stroll!!!

On Thursday, half of the mechanics and logistics people are going to walk out into the pit lane and collapse from fatigue. It will take gallons of RedBull to pull off this race.
No predictions until I see who is still standing after FP1

M5Rick wrote

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.
2. LEC
3. HAD (if battery and hydraulics hold out
4. PIA
5. NOR
6. RUS
7. LEW
8. LIN
9. SAI
10. HUL

Be careful Max, Toto is likely to tell the ChiCom's you're a Uyghur and poof, you will never be seen again.

The season opener had plenty of overtakes and Shanghai looks set to deliver even more excitement. The track usually produces some great battles and with the Sprint Race adding extra action, there is plenty to watch on track. Off it, the fan zone and nearby events offer interactive activities, food, music and exhibitions celebrating car culture, making the weekend fun both for racing fans and anyone looking to soak up the atmosphere.

Car-Addicted wrote

Be careful Max, Toto is likely to tell the ChiCom's you're a Uyghur and poof, you will never be seen again.

https://x.com/i/status/2031376780448370795

M5Rick wrote

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.

Not any time soon.

1. RUS / ANT (55% - 45%)
3. LEC / LEW (55% - 45 %)
5. NOR / PIA (50% - 50 %)
7. HAD
8. VER
9+ who cares....

a

I think the Ferrari’s will be more competitive in China so here’s my lineup.

Charles
Rus
Ant
Ham
PIA
Max (if his Ford doesn’t blow up)
Lando
Hadjar
The Hulk

When we get to Spa will these cars be flat through Eau Rouge?

Fillip wrote

The season opener had plenty of overtakes and Shanghai looks set to deliver even more excitement. The track usually produces some great battles and with the Sprint Race adding extra action, there is plenty to watch on track. Off it, the fan zone and nearby events offer interactive activities, food, music and exhibitions celebrating car culture, making the weekend fun both for racing fans and anyone looking to soak up the atmosphere.

This reads like AI wrote this.

2021 - 2026

///M Power-Belgium wrote

2021 - 2026

A MAX wipe out , eat his dust

FIA and F1 teams agree: Much-criticised power units will be permanently revised

Already during the Bahrain weekend, teams seemed to reach the conclusion that the current direction may not be entirely the right one. However, there is still no clear agreement on exactly what needs to be changed. As a result, it was decided to run both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix first in order to better evaluate the issues in real-world conditions. In the meantime, around four or five possible solutions are being discussed as potential adjustments.

https://www.gpblog.com/en/breaking-news/fia-and-f1-teams-agree-much-maligned-power-units-will-be-permanently-revised