Chinese Grand Prix - Grid results 2026

Qualifying Summary – 2026 Chinese Grand Prix: Today’s Formula 1 qualifying session for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit took place in warm, dry conditions with the full grid fighting for optimal track position ahead of tomorrow’s main race.

Q1 and Q2: All 20 drivers went out in Q1 aiming to set competitive lap times. The Mercedes cars immediately showed strong pace, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell comfortably through to Q2. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were also quick to advance, while drivers from Alpine, Haas and McLaren maintained solid pace to reach the top 10 shootout.

Q3 – The Decider: In the final segment of qualifying Antonelli pushed his Mercedes to the limit and delivered a brilliant lap to claim pole position with a time of 1:32.064, becoming the youngest-ever pole-sitter in Formula 1 history. George Russell overcame a mid-session technical issue that affected his battery and gear system to put his Mercedes second on the grid, completing a front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows.

Ferrari and McLaren Challenges: Ferrari’s line-up showed good balance but lacked the outright straight‑line speed of Mercedes, with Hamilton qualifying third and Leclerc fourth. McLaren’s duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris secured P5 and P6, respectively, after strong efforts to maximise performance.

Midfield and Red Bull Struggles: Alpine’s Pierre Gasly took seventh, while both Red Bull drivers had a difficult session. Max Verstappen could only manage eighth and his teammate Isack Hadjar ninth, struggling with an unbalanced and underperforming package. Oliver Bearman completed the top ten for Haas.