When Is the Next Formula 1 Grand Prix? Details for the Chinese GP

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 23: Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 Isack Hadjar of France driving the (6) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 and the remainder of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

It’s lights out and away we go! The 2026 F1 World Championship Season under way with its second Grand Prix of the year happening in China just one week following the exhilarating and dramatic weekend of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

If you’re looking for a full schedule of all 24 F1 Grand Prix races in 2026, those are available from Heavy on Formula 1 here.

The official name of the second GP on the Formula 1 calendar is the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2026. All of the details you’ll need for knowing how to watch, the full schedule of televised practice sessions, and the official start time for the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese GP can be found below.

Basic Details to Know About the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix

GettyLewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads Liam Lawson of New Zealand driving the (30) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

• Circuit Length: 5.41 km
• Number of Laps: 56
• Race Distance: 305.066 km
• Fastest Lap Time: 1:32:238 by Michael Schumacher in 2004
• First Chinese GP: 2004

Full Schedule of Practice Sessions, Qualifying & Race Start for the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix & Sprint

GettySupporters of Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton cheer in the stands during the sprint race of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 22, 2025.

Practice Session 1

• Date: March 12, 2026 (US Viewers), March 13, 2026 (CST / Local Track Time)
• Local Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CST
• Time for US Viewers: 11:30 PM – 12:30 AM ET / 8:30 – 11:30 PM PT

Sprint Qualifying

• Date: March 13, 2026
• Local Time: 3:30 – 4:14 PM CST
• Time for US Viewers: 3:30 – 4:14 AM ET / 2:30 – 3:14 AM CT / 12:30 – 1:14 AM PT

Sprint Race

• Date: March 13, 2026 (US Viewers), March 14, 2026 (CST)
• Local Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
• Time for US Viewers: 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET / 10:00 – 11:00 PM CT / 8:00 – 11:00 PM PT

Qualifying

• Date: March 14, 2026
• Local Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM CST
• Time for US Viewers: 3:00 – 4:00 AM ET / 2:00 – 3:00 AM CT / 12:00 – 3:00 AM PT

Race Start – 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix

• Date: March 15, 2026
• Local Time: 3:00 PM CST
• Time for US Viewers: 3:00 AM ET / 2:00 AM CT / 12:00 AM PT

How to Watch The 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix

GettyIsack Hadjar of France driving the (6) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 leads Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Haas F1 VF-25 Ferrari Carlos Sainz of Spain driving the (55) Williams FW47 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

For US-based viewers, Apple TV is introducing a brand new dedicated F1 Channel for the 2026 F1 Grand Prix Season. The official Formula 1 website will also have streaming options of all GPs in 2026.

Fans can tune in to watch the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix live through several platforms, including:

• F1 TV & F1 TV Pro (requires subscription)
• Apple TV with new integrated F1 TV Premium  (requires subscription, new users can sign up for a 7 day free trial)
• Sky Sports & Sky Sports on Channel 4 (UK & Ireland)

The Formula 1 official social media channels and YouTube will upload highlights from the track, sprint race, and Chinese GP race after the finish line has been crossed.