The Chinese GP brings the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with five competitive sessions across three days at the Shanghai International Circuit.
With Sprint Qualifying on Friday and both the Sprint and Grand Prix on the same weekend, timing becomes even more important for fans across different time zones. Below you’ll find the full Chinese GP schedule converted for key viewing markets, plus where to watch it live.
Chinese GP schedule: Session times by region
All original session times are listed in Shanghai local time (CST, UTC+8) and converted below.
| WHERE | FP1 | FP2 | FP3 | QUALI | RACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China (CST) | 11:30 | 15:30 | 11:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Spain (CET) | 04:30 | 08:30 | 04:00 | 08:00 | 08:00 |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 03:30 | 07:30 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 07:00 |
| USA – Eastern (ET) | 23:30* | 03:30* | 23:00* | 03:00* | 03:00* |
| USA – Pacific (PT) | 20:30* | 00:30* | 20:00* | 00:00* | 00:00* |
| Mexico (CST) | 21:30* | 01:00* | 21:00* | 01:00* | 01:00* |
| Brazil (BRT) | 00:30* | 04:30* | 00:00* | 04:00* | 04:00* |
| India (IST) | 09:00 | 13:00 | 08:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Japan (JST) | 12:30 | 16:30 | 12:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
*Sessions marked with an asterisk take place on the previous calendar day locally.
For European fans, the Chinese GP schedule means another early start, with the race beginning at 08:00 in Spain and 07:00 in the UK. For US viewers, it’s a late-night or very early-morning weekend.
Where to watch the Chinese GP 2026
Here’s where you can follow the Australian GP schedule live around the world:
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Sky Sports, Channel 4
- Spain, Portugal & Andorra: DAZN
- USA: Apple TV
- Mexico: TUDN, Sky Sports, Izzi
- Brazil: ESPN
- France: Canal+
- Germany: Sky Deutschland, RTL
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Netherlands: Viaplay
- India: FanCode, TATA Play FanCode Sports
- Japan: Fuji TV
- Australia: (local broadcasters TBC closer to event)
- MENA region: beIN Sports
- Latin America: ESPN
Coverage includes Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint race, full Qualifying and the Grand Prix.
What this weekend matters?
The Chinese GP marks the first Sprint format of 2026, which changes the rhythm completely:
- Only one practice session before competitive running begins
- Points available on Saturday
- Two high-pressure grid-setting sessions
- Less room for recovery if something goes wrong
Shanghai is also a circuit that stresses front tyres and rewards strong traction out of slow corners, making strategy and tyre management critical.
With new regulations still fresh and teams gathering early-season data, the Sprint format could expose weaknesses or amplify early strengths.
If Melbourne opened the season, Shanghai accelerates it.
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