- Drivers take on the first sprint race of 2026
- Russell aiming to convert sprint pole to victory in China sprint
- Only top 8 to score points after 19 laps of pure racing
As the drivers and teams gear up for the first sprint race of 2026, there is much for us as viewers to look out for. From Mercedes’ creeping dominance through George Russell and Red Bull’s struggles with pace, there is plenty to speculate on.
The Chinese GP sprint race will be the first sprint race with the new set of regulations. We will get to find out the impact of these new regulations on the sprint races. Will they become more exciting or will they stay riskless as we’ve usually seen?
Russell and Mercedes’ dominance upon us?
Russell cruised to a comfortable sprint pole in Shanghai ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell claimed that the car was “a joy to drive” as he took his second pole in any format this season. The season opener in Australia gave us a taste of the pace of the Mercedes. Everyone in the paddock is now waiting to see what else they have in store.
In the 19-lap sprint, Russell will aim to achieve only his second sprint win in F1. His other being in Interlagos in 2022. If the sprint race follows the pattern of what we’ve seen so far from the Mercedes, it is likely Russell will lead from lights to flag.
Cause for concern? : Verstappen and Red Bull way off pace
Max Verstappen’s sprint qualifying didn’t go as planned. A P8 for him and almost two seconds off pole showed just how off-pace that Red Bull was. Verstappen, after his disappointing qualifying session, said, “I don’t know what we can do”. Despite faster cars ahead, the four-time world champion will take any opportunity handed to him where possible.
The Scuderiai, which is perceived as Mercedes’ closest rival in 2026, seemed to have fallen short in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton took sprint pole here last year and outqualified his teammate in Shanghai for the second time in a row, managing P4.
Ferrari is expected to get a fast start, so Norris, who starts P3, might be under pressure from Hamilton in the opening stages.
There is a lot to consider at the front of the field, as with the rear end of the field. Williams, Aston Martin and Cadillac will use the sprint race to gather as much data as possible for qualifying.
The sprint race starts at 3 am UK time and is followed by the main GP qualifying at 7 am UK time.
| Sprint Winner Odds | |
| George Russell (Mercedes) | 4/5 |
| Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) | 4/1 |
| Lando Norris (McLaren) | 6/1 |
