Chinese Grand Prix ⋅ 2026 Schedule
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Chinese GP Schedule 2026: Formula 1
Track Schedule
The Chinese GP weekend follows F1’s Sprint format. F1 track action starts on Friday in Shanghai with a 1-hour free practice session (FP1) for teams to find the perfect setup.
Friday afternoon sees Sprint Qualifying set the grid for the Sprint on Saturday.
Later on Saturday, Qualifying is a 3-part session where lap times decide starting positions for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Formula 1 timetable below covers First Practice, Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint, Qualifying and the Grand Prix.
| Friday | First Practice | 11:30 - 12:30 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 15:30 - 16:14 | |
| Saturday | Sprint (19 Laps or 60 Mins) | 11:00 - 11:30 |
| Qualifying | 15:00 - 16:00 | |
| Sunday | Grand Prix (56 Laps or 120 Mins) | 15:00 - 17:00 |
*An F1 race has a maximum time of 2 hours, but can run for up to 3 hours if there are red flags. Jump to full timetable.
Driver Track Parade
This is when the grandstands really start to fill up. Drivers warm up for the race by waving at you and answering questions.
Drivers’ Parade at the Chinese GP is on Sunday from 13:00 – 13:30.
Chinese GP Schedule 2026: Support Races
F1 Academy
F1 Academy is an all female racing series that aims to popularise motorsports for women and girls and to provide a launchpad for higher tiers of motorsport, including ultimately, F1. The emphasis is on driver skill and so all cars use an identical chassis and engine.
Action gets underway on Friday with Practice and Qualifying. The First Race follows on Saturday, with the Second Race on Sunday.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
The Asian arm of the Porsche Carrera Cup, a one make sports car series with regional championships around the world.
Track sessions on the timetable are Practice on Friday, Qualifying and the First Race on Saturday, and the Second Race on Sunday.
SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup
A GT4-class series featuring top manufacturers and privateer drivers, the Greater Bay Area GT Cup races across Greater China.
GT Cup starts on Friday with First Practice and Second Practice. Qualifying and the First Race follow on Saturday, with the Second Race on Sunday.
Full Timetable for the Chinese Grand Prix Weekend
| Friday 13 March | Local time | |
|---|---|---|
| SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT Cup | First Practice Session | 08:20 - 08:45 |
| F1 Academy | Practice Session | 09:10 - 09:50 |
| FIA | F1 Car Presentation | 10:00 - 11:00 |
| FORMULA 1 | FIRST PRACTICE SESSION | 11:30 - 12:30 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Asia | Practice Session | 13:00 - 13:45 |
| Formula 1 | Teams' Press Conference | 13:30 - 14:30 |
| F1 Academy | Qualifying Session | 14:10 - 14:40 |
| FORMULA 1 | SPRINT QUALIFYING | 15:30 - 16:14 |
| SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT Cup | Second Practice Session | 17:00 - 17:25 |
| Saturday 14 March | Local time | |
|---|---|---|
| SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT Cup | Qualifying Session | 08:15 - 08:40 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Asia | Qualifying Session | 09:10 - 09:40 |
| FORMULA 1 | SPRINT (19 Laps or 60 Mins) | 11:00 - 11:30 |
| Formula 1 | Press Conference | 11:30 - 12:00 |
| SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT Cup | First Race (30 Mins +1 Lap) | 12:25 - 13:00 |
| F1 Academy | First Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap) | 13:45 - 14:20 |
| FORMULA 1 | QUALIFYING | 15:00 - 16:00 |
| Formula 1 | Press Conference | 16:00 - 17:00 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Asia | First Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins) | 16:55 - 17:30 |
| F1 Experiences | F1 Experiences Champions Club Grid Walk & Trophy Photo | 18:20 - 19:20 |
| Sunday 15 March | Local time | |
|---|---|---|
| SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT Cup | Second Race (30 Mins +1 Lap) | 09:10 - 09:45 |
| F1 Academy | Second Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap) | 10:40 - 11:15 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Asia | Second Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins) | 11:55 - 12:30 |
| Formula 1 | Drivers' Parade | 13:00 - 13:30 |
| Formula 1 | National Anthem | 14:44 - 14:46 |
| FORMULA 1 | GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS) | 15:00 - 17:00 |
All start times in this timetable and other schedules on this page are in the local timezone at the track. Times are subject to change.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
