China GP · Shanghai 2026
Qualifying — Final
Q1 · Q2 · Q3 Complete · March 14, 2026
Final
Q1Complete
Q2Complete
Q3Complete
1
Q1 · First Lap
First Out Lindblad Sets the Opening Time
Arvid Lindblad is first to set a lap time in Q1, getting the 2026 China GP qualifying underway in Shanghai.
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Q1 · Early Running
Car Issue Hamilton Reports Snaps Under Braking
Lewis Hamilton flags an unsettled rear end, reporting the Ferrari snapping under braking. Could be a setup concern heading into the later segments.
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Q1 · Mid Session
Struggling Cadillac & Aston Martin Off the Pace
Both Cadillac and Aston Martin are finding it difficult to string together competitive laps. Elimination danger for both teams as Q1 reaches its critical phase.
P1
Q1 · Fastest Lap
P1 Leclerc Goes Fastest — 1:33.175
Charles Leclerc puts Ferrari on top of the Q1 timesheet with a 1:33.175, setting the early benchmark for the rest of the field to chase.
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Q1 · 1:35 Remaining
Final Push Last Chance for Williams, Cadillac & Aston Martin
The clock is ticking. Williams, Cadillac and Aston Martin are all in danger of elimination and must find a lap now to avoid dropping out in Q1.
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Q1 · Eliminated
Out in Q1 Sainz, Albon, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll & Perez
Six drivers exit qualifying after Q1. Notably both Aston Martin cars and both Cadillac drivers are out, along with Williams pair Sainz and Albon.
1
Q2 · First Out
First Out Antonelli Leads Q2 Out of the Pit Lane
Kimi Antonelli is the first driver on track as Q2 gets underway, looking to build on a strong Q1 for Mercedes.
P1
Q2 · Fastest Lap
P1 Russell Goes Fastest — 1:32.523
George Russell puts Mercedes on top in Q2 with a 1:32.523, over half a second quicker than Leclerc’s Q1 benchmark. Mercedes looking dominant again.
P1
Q2 · Fastest Lap
P1 Leclerc Jumps to the Top — 1:32.486
Charles Leclerc displaces Russell at the top of the Q2 timesheet with a 1:32.486, edging the Mercedes by just 0.037 seconds. Ferrari hitting back.
P1
Q2 · Fastest Lap
P1 Antonelli Snatches the Top — 1:32.443
Kimi Antonelli goes fastest in Q2 with a 1:32.443, bumping Leclerc down to second by just 0.043 seconds. Three drivers within a tenth — the fight for Q3 pole is wide open.
YF
Q2 · Yellow Flag
Yellow Flag Bortoleto Into the Barrier at Turn 16
Gabriel Bortoleto loses the car at Turn 16, goes through the gravel and hits the barrier. He manages to limp back to the pit lane but his Q2 is done. Yellow flags disrupt laps for drivers still on track.
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Q2 · Eliminated
Out in Q2 Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon, Lawson, Lindblad & Bortoleto
Six more drivers eliminated. Bortoleto’s barrier hit effectively ended his session early. Lawson and Lindblad both out for Racing Bulls — a tough Q2 for the team.
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Q3 · Incident
Car Issue Russell Stops on Track — Gearbox Problem
George Russell comes to a complete standstill on track. The Mercedes sits motionless for over a minute before he slowly rolls back to the pit lane. Russell appears unable to select a gear — a potential gearbox issue that could seriously compromise his Q3 and tomorrow’s race start.
Update · Pit Lane
Mercedes engineers working frantically in the garage, changing every component they can reach. They have even swapped the steering wheel — suggesting the fault could be electrical rather than a mechanical gearbox failure.
Update · Garage
Mercedes still have no answer. Engineers are checking every corner of the car with no clear diagnosis. Russell remains stationary in the garage — his Q3 lap looking increasingly unlikely as time runs out.
Update · Back on Track
Russell is out of the garage and back on track. Whatever the issue was, Mercedes appear to have found a fix. Can he string together a competitive lap in the time remaining?
P1
Q3 · Fastest Lap
P1 Antonelli Goes Fastest — 1:32.322
Kimi Antonelli sets the early Q3 benchmark with a 1:32.322, going quicker than anything seen in Q2. Mercedes still on top despite Russell’s car trouble.
P1
Q3 · Fastest Lap
P1 Antonelli Improves — 1:32.064
Kimi Antonelli goes even faster on his second Q3 run, clocking a 1:32.064 and extending his advantage at the top. That is 0.258 seconds quicker than his first effort — Antonelli looking seriously strong for pole.
P2
Q3 · Final Runs
P2 Russell Responds — 1:32.286
George Russell finally gets a clean lap in after his garage drama, posting a 1:32.286. Fast enough for second but 0.222 seconds short of Antonelli. Russell gave everything — it was not enough today.
P1
Q3 · Pole Position
Pole Antonelli Takes Pole — Youngest Ever GP Pole in History
Kimi Antonelli claims pole position for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix with a 1:32.064. At just 18 years old, he becomes the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to take a Grand Prix pole position. A stunning achievement for the Mercedes youngster — and a statement to the entire grid.
