F1 2026: Chinese GP - Shanghai (Mar 15)

[GuidoK]

F1 2026: Chinese GP - Shangai (Mar 15)

2025:

(source: HERE)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026/china
(adjusts to your local time/date depending on your browsers/internet settings)
This is a sprint race weekend, so points can be earned on both the saterday and sunday.

Shanghai International Circuit



Circuit stats:
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.451 km
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 (Michael Schumacher 2004)

Onboard Lap:
(2025 Oscar Piastri pole lap)
HERE

2025 thread:
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2171776

2025 race highlights:
HERE

2025 Lollipopman Comics:

[GuidoK]

So what are your predictions?

Last Sunday we saw how things really played out. Yes Mercedes is definately as fast as was predicted last year by most of us. To quote princess George: "I like this car.....I like this engine!"
But Ferrari was a real surprise. The lightning start was already somewhat predicted, but they really held their pace throughout the race far above expected. Well done to that team! Of course strategy is still....nothing new here
However you still see drivers figuring out the best way to use the available electric power to it's maximum.
And what about Max, after a failed qualification moving up from 20th on the grid all the way to 6th place! But the RB has issues. Tyrewear is very much a thing and reliability might become one too, however, as a totally new engine manufacturer they did pretty good, as LIN also scored points in the B team Vcarb in his first race ever!
Biggest disappointment was probably AMR, with their cars basically shaking themselves apart. Not what I expected of Newey+Honda+unlimitedly funded new factory complex alas.

So how will that play out in China?
This is my prediction:

1. ANT
2. RUS
3. LEC
4. PIA
5. VER
6. HAM
7. NOR
8. HAD
9. BEA
10. LIN

For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

[M3WC]

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

[M3WC]

It is not even close who Vegas thinks is winning in China.

Russell -115
Kimi +600
Charles +650
Lewis +850
Max +900

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

$hit, the Ferrari start advantage is REAL. Charlie looked like he was shot from a gun

[3798j]

11:00pm Friday sprint race start for those of us in the Eastern Time Zone

[fs1977]

I think Ferrari and especially Mercedes will have a fairly big margin to the McLarens. The Red Bulls are somewhere in between there, but I'm not sure if it's closer to Ferrari or closer to McLaren.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by M3WC

It is not even close who Vegas thinks is winning in China.

Russell -115
Kimi +600
Charles +650
Lewis +850
Max +900

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.
2. LEC
3. HAD (if battery and hydraulics hold out
4. PIA
5. NOR
6. RUS
7. LEW
8. LIN
9. SAI
10. HUL

[jmanB45]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Does the race director turn out the lights instantly again, so Ferrari can use their start advantage?

I don't even think the 5th light had fully illuminated yet. FIA was so worried Merc was going to walk away, they tried to help out Ferrari.

It's a randomized automated system, duration between 0.2 and 3 seconds.

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

So what are your predictions?

Last Sunday we saw how things really played out. Yes Mercedes is definately as fast as was predicted last year by most of us. To quote princess George: "I like this car.....I like this engine!"
But Ferrari was a real surprise. The lightning start was already somewhat predicted, but they really held their pace throughout the race far above expected. Well done to that team! Of course strategy is still....nothing new here
However you still see drivers figuring out the best way to use the available electric power to it's maximum.
And what about Max, after a failed qualification moving up from 20th on the grid all the way to 6th place! But the RB has issues. Tyrewear is very much a thing and reliability might become one too, however, as a totally new engine manufacturer they did pretty good, as LIN also scored points in the B team Vcarb in his first race ever!
Biggest disappointment was probably AMR, with their cars basically shaking themselves apart. Not what I expected of Newey+Honda+unlimitedly funded new factory complex alas.

So how will that play out in China?
This is my prediction:

1. ANT
2. RUS
3. LEC
4. PIA
5. VER
6. HAM
7. NOR
8. HAD
9. BEA
10. LIN

For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

My prediction for China will be:
1. Max
2. Kimi
3. Charles
4. Lando
5. Lewis
6. Oscar
7. Stroll!!!

[Car-Addicted]

On Thursday, half of the mechanics and logistics people are going to walk out into the pit lane and collapse from fatigue. It will take gallons of RedBull to pull off this race.
No predictions until I see who is still standing after FP1

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.
2. LEC
3. HAD (if battery and hydraulics hold out
4. PIA
5. NOR
6. RUS
7. LEW
8. LIN
9. SAI
10. HUL

[Car-Addicted]

Be careful Max, Toto is likely to tell the ChiCom's you're a Uyghur and poof, you will never be seen again.

[Fillip]

The season opener had plenty of overtakes and Shanghai looks set to deliver even more excitement. The track usually produces some great battles and with the Sprint Race adding extra action, there is plenty to watch on track. Off it, the fan zone and nearby events offer interactive activities, food, music and exhibitions celebrating car culture, making the weekend fun both for racing fans and anyone looking to soak up the atmosphere.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Be careful Max, Toto is likely to tell the ChiCom's you're a Uyghur and poof, you will never be seen again.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'll even take MAX's +900 for the win here.
1. MAX ( if back axle sorted.

Not any time soon.

1. RUS / ANT (55% - 45%)
3. LEC / LEW (55% - 45 %)
5. NOR / PIA (50% - 50 %)
7. HAD
8. VER
9+ who cares....

a

[Rono63]

I think the Ferrari’s will be more competitive in China so here’s my lineup.

Charles
Rus
Ant
Ham
PIA
Max (if his Ford doesn’t blow up)
Lando
Hadjar
The Hulk

[M3WC]

When we get to Spa will these cars be flat through Eau Rouge?

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by Fillip

The season opener had plenty of overtakes and Shanghai looks set to deliver even more excitement. The track usually produces some great battles and with the Sprint Race adding extra action, there is plenty to watch on track. Off it, the fan zone and nearby events offer interactive activities, food, music and exhibitions celebrating car culture, making the weekend fun both for racing fans and anyone looking to soak up the atmosphere.

This reads like AI wrote this.

[///M Power-Belgium]

2021 - 2026

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

2021 - 2026

A MAX wipe out , eat his dust

[Car-Addicted]

FIA and F1 teams agree: Much-criticised power units will be permanently revised

Already during the Bahrain weekend, teams seemed to reach the conclusion that the current direction may not be entirely the right one. However, there is still no clear agreement on exactly what needs to be changed. As a result, it was decided to run both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix first in order to better evaluate the issues in real-world conditions. In the meantime, around four or five possible solutions are being discussed as potential adjustments.

https://www.gpblog.com/en/breaking-n...nently-revised