F1 Chinese GP LIVE: Race updates, stream and start time in Shanghai
Time for the Chinese national anthem
All 22 drivers are at the start of the grid for the home national anthem in Shanghai!
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:46
McLaren on Norris:
McLaren: “No [we won’t make the grid] as the pit-exit is closed. We’re still working to rectify the issue.”
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:43
A reminder of the grid:
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:32:064
2. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.222
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.351
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.364
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.486
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.544*
7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +0.809
8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.938
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1.057
10. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +1.228
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 1:33:354
12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1:33:357
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:33:538
14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:33:765
15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 1:33:784
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 1:33:965
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:34:317
18. Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:34:772
19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:35:203
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 1:35:436
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:35:995
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 1:36:906
*Norris is now set to start from the pit-lane, if he starts the race at all.
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:39
Lando Norris has an issue
Norris has missed the laps to the grid and his car still sits in the garage!
McLaren statement: “We had identified an issue on the electronics side, which is why we had removed the floor and checked a number of parts.
“We believe we have rectified the issue and the team are now in final preparations for the race.”
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:35
Kimi Antonelli after claiming pole:
“It was a pretty clean session, really happy, unfortunately George had an issue in Q3 – but it was a really good session, no mistakes, looking forward to the race.
“I just tried to keep my focus, stay calm, and deliver a good lap.”
Antonelli pips Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest-ever pole-sitter…

Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:30
George Russell: ‘It was damage limitation’
On qualifying issues: “Damage limitation, Q2 the front wing broke, went out in Q3, car wasn’t restarting, really happy to be standing here. Start of the last lap, had no tyre temp, no battery, so it could have been much worse.
On race: “We need to take care of the guys in red as well. Lewis is going to be pretty dicey at the beginning of the race, put on a good race to the fans.”
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:15
Lewis Hamilton, who qualified third:
“It was a really tough qualifying, bit harder with the wind, so gusty today. These guys put in great laps, really happy to be up here, they’ve been rapid so far this season.
“We did some great work over the break and we managed to get a little bit closer to these guys, that’s a real positive.”
On race: “Still going to be a challenge, I’m sure we’ll have some fun, looking forward to it. Our goal is try and break the gap between these two.”

Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 06:00
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
“Many said the kid was too young to be in Mercedes, now he’s the youngest pole-sitter. I’m so happy for Kimi to be on pole.
On race: “Let’s see how they get away from the start, Ferrari will be pushing like crazy like Melbourne and today.”
On Russell’s issue: “It looks electrical. I didn’t think it was going out but to my surprise, we went out.”

Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 04:00
Constructor standings after Chinese GP sprint
6. Racing Bulls – 6 points
11. Aston Martin – 0 points
Kieran Jackson15 March 2026 02:00