Chinese Grand Prix: Race Preview

TGR Haas F1 Team arrives in Shanghai buoyed by an encouraging start to the 2026 campaign at Australia’s Albert Park. Ollie Bearman netted seventh position to seal six points and put TGR Haas F1 Team in fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship.

Formula 1 first voyaged to China in 2004, with the purpose-built Shanghai International Circuit constructed in advance of the championship’s arrival. China remained part of the schedule through 2019, prior to a four-year absence on account of the pandemic and connected travel restrictions, before the country eventually returned to the roster in 2024.

For the third successive season, the F1 Sprint will feature at the Chinese Grand Prix, the first of six Sprint events across the course of the 2026 championship. Per recent years, Sprint Qualifying on Friday will determine the grid line-up for Saturday’s Sprint Race, prior to the usual qualifying session and grand prix – meaning there will be just a single one-hour practice session prior to Sprint Qualifying.

F1 Academy will begin its 2026 season at the Shanghai International Circuit, with TGR Haas F1 Team supporting Kaylee Countryman’s entry. Countryman, 16, will make her debut in F1 Academy in Shanghai, as she prepares to contest the full season with ART Grand Prix.

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal:

“We’re really looking forward to the Chinese Grand Prix. It’s obviously going to be demanding as it’s a Sprint weekend, and with what we learned from Australia – it’s a big challenge to get everything set-up. We had three sessions in Melbourne to get ready for qualifying, and of course for China, we only have one practice session to get ready – so that’s going to be the focus. We’re just naturally learning a lot with these new cars each time we’re running. Off-track, we’re looking forward to coming to China as we’ve got some activations going on there and we’re excited to be engaging with the Chinese Formula 1 fans with our team and drivers. It’s going to be a challenging but exciting weekend for sure. We can’t wait to get going.”

Ollie Bearman:

“I’m happy to come back and very excited, especially off the back of a good first race of the season for us. It’s a technical track, with super high G-forces for us to navigate, so it’s a good thing the Chinese Grand Prix is at the start of the year! It’s the first Sprint under these new regulations, so if we thought last week was a challenge, this week is going to demand even more from everyone. I have no doubt that if we stick together as a team though, we’ll yet again demonstrate why we deserve to be fighting at the front of the midfield.”

Esteban Ocon:

"Shanghai is a really nice circuit, but it's also a challenge for everyone. The complex Turn 1, 2 and 3 is really demanding and technical so you need to have good confidence in the car. As China is a Sprint weekend it's going to be tough, as we are still so early on in the year and there is more to learn. The support we have in China is increasing every year as well, and it's awesome to see, so I look forward to seeing our Chinese fans, and hopefully we can get some decent results."