Shanghai Circuit Track Preview
- therookiereporters
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
It’s round 2 of the F1 2026 and we are making a trip up north from Melbourne to Shanghai! Before our engines begin to roar, here’s what you should know about the track, previous races and what we might expect this year.
Track Facts
The Shanghai International circuit is 5.451km long making the Grand Prix 305.066km or 56 laps. The first Grand Prix held in the bustling city was back in 2004 and it has been on and off our calendar, making its return in 2024. Our fastest lap is held by Formula One Legend, Michael Schumacher at 1:32.238s! Can any of our other champions steal this record?
2025 Recap
Last year, there was the introduction of a Sprint Race to the weekend. Lewis Hamilton went on to secure his maiden win for Ferrari in this session, leading from pole to take the chequered flag. This was also Ferrari’s first Sprint victory! Joining him on the podium was Australian driver, Oscar Piastri who overtook 4-time world champion Max Verstappen in the closing laps of the race to take 2nd. Verstappen hung on to a P3 finish even with worn tyres. In addition, Lando Norris, who suffered from an early error, went on to claim eighth.
In the Grand Prix, Piastri used his momentum from his podium finish, taking pole position and then winning in Shanghai. Teammate Lando Norris made it a 1-2 and vanquished his brake problems. Fellow Briton George Russell managed to hold off the Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton to take consecutive podium finishes.
Weekend Schedule (track time)
Free Practice 1:
Friday 13th March 11:30am - 12:30pm
Sprint Qualifying:
Friday 13th March 3:30pm - 4:14pm
Sprint:
Saturday 14th March 11:00am - 12:00pm
Qualifying:
Saturday 14th March 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Grand Prix:
Sunday 15th March 3:00pm - 5:00pm
2026 Expectations
Mercedes dominating down under with a front row lockout, converted into a 1-2 finish, they will be the team to watch this weekend. We can’t count out Ferrari, with such strong launches at lights out, enabling them to be in the front runners and finish 3rd and 4th, they’ll be looking to challenge the championship leaders in Shanghai. Our unlucky drivers who didn’t see the lights out or the chequered flag fall will all be hoping for a more promising weekend.
Article written by Alice Seager ©️Alice Seager 2026
