What time is lights out? Chinese GP Edition
Discover the start times for each session at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Published
12 MAR 2026
Est. reading time
1 min
The 2026 season is already shifting up a gear as Formula 1 heads to Chinese Grand Prix for the first Sprint weekend of the year.
After the curtain-raiser in Melbourne, the paddock has travelled north to the sweeping curves of Shanghai International Circuit, where the return of the Sprint means there’s even more competitive running across the three days.
For fans in China and across Asia, it’s another weekend of comfortable viewing hours. For much of the rest of the world? A little planning may still be required.
Europe and Africa, expect some early starts to catch the action live. Fans in the Americas may be setting alarms late into the night. Asia-Pacific viewers, meanwhile, can once again enjoy some very reasonable session times.
2026 Session Times – Chinese Grand Prix
(All converted to your local timezone from China Standard Time, UTC+8)
Session Schedule
Time displayed in your local timezone
Free Practice 1
FRIDAY, 3:30 AM, 13 MAR, 2026
Sprint Qualifying
FRIDAY, 7:30 AM, 13 MAR, 2026
Sprint
SATURDAY, 3:00 AM, 14 MAR, 2026
Qualifying
SATURDAY, 7:00 AM, 14 MAR, 2026
Race
SUNDAY, 7:00 AM, 15 MAR, 2026
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