The first sprint qualifying session of the F1 2026 championship gets underway today (Friday, March 13) at the Shanghai International Circuit, so here is all you need to know about how to watch the session live on air.

George Russell praised his Mercedes as a “joy to drive” as he took pole for the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday to continue his team's dominant start to the new era of Formula 1. Russell is the driver to beat in Shanghai after his dominant win in Australia last week.

George Russell takes Sprint pole at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes lock out the front row. See the full Sprint Qualifying results and starting grid.

Sprint qualifying results as Mercedes continues to dominate at the F1 Chinese Grand Prix.

A clear guide to F1 qualifying in 2026 including Q1 Q2 Q3 format, sprint qualifying rules and the 107 percent rule explained.

Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli locked out the front row for the sprint, as an investigation into the Italian's involvement with a potential impeding incident was awarded no further action; Norris told the stewards that he was not on a push lap, which rescued Antonelli from a penalty.

Check out the full report and results from F1 qualifying in Australia.

FIA stewards have issued a decision on Sergio Perez after the Cadillac driver failed to set a qualifying time during Sprint Qualifying at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.

George Russell swept to the first pole of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a dominant display for Mercedes in Australian GP qualifying

The first qualifying session of the 2026 F1 season is looming large in Melbourne

Complete 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix weekend schedule, including practice, sprint, qualifying, and race start time at Shanghai International Circuit.

Keep a running track of the F1 2026 qualifying battles as the season unfolds.