F1: How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix, qualifying results, and if you can stream for free
Mercedes will be hoping to dominate in Shanghai this weekend
F1 fans, listen up: the Chinese Grand Prix is on this weekend, so if you want to know how to watch it, the results from the sprint qualifying session, and if the race is streaming for free, you’re in the right place.
Last week’s Australian Grand Prix was a strong result for the Mercedes camp, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli taking the top two podium spots. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc came in third.
This weekend, the action turns to the Shanghai International Circuit, with the first of six sprint events for the 2026 season.
So, whether you want to catch the sprint or the full Chinese Grand Prix, make sure you know how to watch all the coverage.
How to watch the F1 Chinese Grand Prix online
In the UK, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix is available to stream via Sky Sports.
You can either watch all of the action directly on Sky Sports F1 or stream the races on the Sky Sports app. If you don’t have Sky, you can buy a day pass for NOW TV or a cancel-anytime monthly subscription.
While F1 TV Pro is available in the UK, it can’t show live coverage due to Sky holding the exclusive rights. In the US, the Chinese Grand Prix will stream on Apple TV.
Can you stream it for free?
The Chinese Grand Prix technically isn’t available to stream for free in the UK. Channel 4 will air highlights from the races across the weekend, but you need a Sky Sports subscription or NOW TV pass to watch it live.
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In theory, you could get a free trial for Apple TV and use a VPN to change your location to North America (and even then, it may not work). Also, Belgium’s RTBF Auvio and Austria’s ORF channels are airing free coverage, but geo-blocking restrictions will likely prevent you from watching it there.
So, you’re either going to have to plump for a Sky or NOW TV subscription… or find a pub that’s showing it!
Sprint qualifying results from the Chinese Grand Prix
George Russell claimed pole position from the sprint qualifying round at the Chinese Grand Prix. This came after a speedy performance in the practice session, with Russell and Kimi Antonelli set to start first and second in the sprint.
As for Lewis Hamilton, he came fourth with a time just 0.02 seconds shy of McLaren’s Lando Norris.
You can check out the top 10 results from the sprint qualifying below:
| Position | Driver | Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:33.030 | 1:32.241 | 1:31.520 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:33.455 | 1:32.291 | 1:31.809 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:33.783 | 1:33.086 | 1:32.141 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:33.148 | 1:33.042 | 1:32.161 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:33.813 | 1:33.038 | 1:32.224 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:33.194 | 1:32.602 | 1:32.528 |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:33.970 | 1:33.405 | 1:32.888 |
| 8 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:34.170 | 1:33.564 | 1:33.254 |
| 9 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team | 1:34.280 | 1:33.501 | 1:33.409 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing | 1:34.447 | 1:33.620 | 1:33.723 |
Chinese Grand Prix schedule: sprint and race start times
Given that action is coming out of Shanghai, it’ll be an early start for F1 fans in the UK who want to watch the Chinese Grand Prix live.
Saturday, March 13
- Coverage begins: 2am
- Sprint race: 3am
- Qualifying: 7am
Sunday, March 15
- Coverage begins: 5:30am
- Race: 7am
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