Just a few days on from the season-opener in Melbourne, Formula 1 is still in the Asia-Pacific region for this weekend’s second round, the Chinese Grand Prix. It is the first Sprint weekend of the year, the first ever with this new generation of cars. Therefore, for Scuderia Ferrari HP and the other teams, it is another opportunity to continue to learn more about them on a track with very different characteristics to the one in Australia. However, the Sprint format offers very little time to set up the cars, which have changed so significantly in several areas, from aerodynamics to energy management. With teams having only limited data, the ability to prepare for the event in the simulator and to make the best possible use of the information gathered in the single hour of free practice, could be a significant factor.
Sprint Programme. The one and only 60 minute free practice session starts on Friday at 11.30 local (4.30 CET), followed in the afternoon at 15.30 (8.30 CET) by Sprint Qualifying to establish the grid for the start of the short race, which takes place on Saturday morning at 11 (4 CET). It is run over 19 laps, a distance of 103.379 kilometres. Teams are then allowed to work on their cars to prepare for qualifying for the Grand Prix itself, with the grid deciding session at 15 (8 CET). The 56 lap, 305.066 kilometre Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday at 15 (8 CET).
The track. The 5.451 kilometre Shanghai International Circuit is one of the most technical on the calendar. The layout takes its inspiration from the Chinese “shang” character and combines long variable radius corners with very heavy braking zones, as well as a 1.3 kilometre long straight, one of the longest of the season. Turn 1 is a long right corner that gets progressively tighter and is one of the track’s most distinctive sections, while the middle sector requires good aero balance through its medium speed corners. The final sector is home to the very long straight leading on to turn 14, one of the main passing opportunities. The 2026 cars have very different characteristics to their predecessors when it comes to the split between thermal and electrical power, as well as having active aerodynamics aimed at reducing drag down the straights. Therefore, energy management and the attack and defence modes will be a key consideration this weekend.
A learning curve. After just one race with these new cars, no clear hierarchy has yet emerged. Therefore, every session of this busy Shanghai Sprint weekend is a chance to improve understanding of the car-power unit package and to gather data to add to that acquired in the three pre-season tests and the first race.
Fred Vasseur Team Principal
The Chinese Grand Prix comes hot on the heels of the Melbourne event and is a different challenge in many respects. Being a Sprint weekend means we have far less time to work on the cars and that means the work done in Maranello and in the simulator takes on even greater importance. This is only the start of a new era for Formula 1, with very different cars to those we raced over the past few years. That means every session is an opportunity to learn more about managing them, in terms of set-up and energy. There were encouraging signs in Australia, but the level is very high and there is still a lot of work to do. In Shanghai we aim to keep making progress, gather data, stay focused and put together a clean weekend from start to finish.
A special Chinese GP edition by Puma
To mark the Chinese Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari HP partner PUMA has introduced a special China GP limited-edition collection inspired by the team’s official apparel. The range combines the iconic Rosso Corsa with design elements created specifically for the Chinese market, offering fans a unique interpretation of Scuderia Ferrari’s racing identity. The collection includes exclusive items dedicated to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and is available through selected PUMA retail channels in China.
