F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

Russell, China, Mercedes — Photo: © IMAGO

Chinese Grand Prix

F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

The race for pole takes place in China on Saturday

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 13 March 2026 20:45

Following the F1 sprint race action, the F1 drivers will take to the Shanghai International Circuit once again for main race qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix today (Saturday, March 14).

Mercedes proved to be quickest again in China on Friday, after they locked out the front row of the grid for Saturday's sprint race.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will once again be hoping to maintain their healthy advantage over rivals Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull during Saturday's main race qualifying, with attention now turning to the race with the most amount of points on offer.

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Can the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris disrupt the Mercedes party? Or will they once again lock out the front row for Sunday's grand prix at the Shanghai International Circuit?

Here's how to watch qualifying, and what time it's on wherever you are in the world.

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When is Qualifying at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix?

Qualifying for the F1 2026 Chinese GP takes place today (Saturday, March 14) at 15:00 local time (CST), which is 07:00 GMT. That is 08:00 CET, 03:00 EST in the United States or 22:00 PST Friday on the West Coast.

Find the qualifying start time converted to your local time zone below:

Chinese Grand Prix 2026 Session Times

Qualifying - Saturday, March 14, 2026

Location	Time
Local time (CST)	15:00 Saturday
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)	07:00 Saturday
Central European Time (CET)	08:00 Saturday
United States (ET)	03:00 Saturday
United States (CT)	02:00 Saturday
United States (PT)	00:00 Saturday
Brazil (BRT)	04:00 Saturday
Australia (AEDT)	18:00 Saturday
Australia (AWST)	15:00 Saturday
Australia (ACT)	17:30 Saturday
Mexico (CST)	01:00 Saturday
Japan (JST)	16:00 Saturday
South Africa (SAST)	09:00 Saturday
Egypt (EET)	09:00 Saturday
India (IST)	12:30 Saturday
Singapore (SGT)	15:00 Saturday
Turkey (TRT)	10:00 Saturday
United Arab Emirates (GST)	11:00 Saturday
Saudi Arabia (AST)	10:00 Saturday

How to watch the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying live on TV today

Broadcast details vary depending on your location. Check below to see how to tune in around the world:

Where to watch live: F1 2026 broadcasters by region

Region/Country	Broadcaster(s)
United Kingdom	Sky Sports
*United States	Apple TV
Italy	Sky Italia
Netherlands	Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
China	Shanghai TV, Guandong Television Channel, Tencent
Japan	Fuji TV, DAZN
Australia	Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten
Spain	DAZN
Canada	RDS, TSN
Germany	Sky Deutschland, RTL
France	Canal+
Belgium	RTBF, Telenet
Luxembourg	RTL Lux, Sky DE
Mexico	Fox Sports Mexico
Singapore	beIN SPORTS
Hungary	M4 Sport
Brazil	Bandeirantes
Austria	Servus TV, ORF
Middle East & Turkey	beIN SPORTS
Africa	SuperSport
Latin America	ESPN

* F1 fans in the US can access a 7-day free trial to the coverage on Apple TV, which now has rights instead of ESPN from 2026 onwards.

* F1TV Pro also carries coverage of the sport, depending on which territory you are in.

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

View full biography

Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit