If you plan to watch f1 live, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix grid is confirmed in Shanghai with Kimi Antonelli on pole beside George Russell. The race is set to begin at 1500 local time, with Mercedes on the front row and the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc poised for a fast start. Alex Albon will begin from the pit lane after Williams made parc fermé setup changes, and four cars are recorded as non-starters following pre-race trouble.
Watch F1 Live: Official grid and late drama
The top of the order is an all-Mercedes front row: Kimi Antonelli — F1’s youngest-ever polesitter — alongside George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc immediately behind in the Ferraris. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and World Champion Lando Norris occupy the rows that follow, while Pierre Gasly delivered a surprise by out-qualifying both Red Bull drivers, placing an Alpine on row four ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Haas’ Oliver Bearman rounds out the top 10.
At the rear, Aston Martin and Cadillac cars line up low: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are positioned at the back for Aston Martin, while Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez sit at the tail for Cadillac. Williams’ Alex Albon, who had qualified 18th, will start from the pit lane after setup changes. Separately, four entries are marked as non-starters after encountering trouble before the race: Alex Albon, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, and both McLaren drivers were unable to start the grand prix.
Immediate reactions
Williams made suspension setup changes to Car 23 in parc fermé and that change invokes the FIA regulations requiring a pit-lane start: Williams changed the setup of the suspension of Car 23 under Parc Ferme and the car is therefore required to start the race from pit lane under Article B3. 5. 7b of the FIA F1 Regulations. The team followed the same course of action earlier in the weekend ahead of the Sprint.
Carlos Sainz, driver, Williams, reflected on the team’s run of issues: “In a track like this, where you’re very downforce dependent and also very weight dependent and we know we lag in these two areas. ” He added after qualifying: “We found a bit of performance with the PU compared to yesterday, and probably since Australia it’s also a bit better. But we know our main weakness is not the PU. The PU is P1 in every session. “
Quick context and what’s next
This grid follows a weekend that featured the first sprint race and a grand prix qualifying session at a circuit that challenges the energy-starved cars of the 2026 season. The official starting order is now set for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, with the race scheduled to begin at 1500 local time in Shanghai.
Expect the early laps to be decisive: Mercedes on pole with two Ferraris directly behind ensures a tense launch into Turn 1, while pit-lane starters and the quartet of non-starters will reshape strategy and opportunities. For live updates and to watch f1 live, follow the on-track action as teams adapt and the field sorts itself in the opening exchanges.
