The Writer’s Verdict: 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
16th March 2026The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix saw a 17-year-old record being broken and a new maiden race winner being crowned, in Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Here’s our writer’s verdict of the race weekend.
Feature image credit: Mercedes F1
Jamile Barcelos – ApexMotorsports.co.uk Contributor
The Chinese Grand Prix delivered an interesting weekend, with Mercedes once again emerging as the team to beat in Shanghai. Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula One victory was not only a milestone, as he became the second-youngest driver to win a Grand Prix, but also a clear sign that the German team may have found a strong rhythm early in the championship.
Ferrari, however, showed they are not far behind in terms of overall competitiveness. The Scuderia displayed impressive pace throughout the weekend, even if the final race result ultimately left them some distance behind Mercedes. It was a great weekend for Lewis, though, who secured two podiums in both the Sprint and the Feature Race.
The race itself also produced several interesting storylines across the grid. With both McLarens out of the race before the start due to technical issues, the grid opened up opportunities for others further down the field. Young Haas driver Oliver Bearman made a strong appearance in the top ten, alongside both Alpine drivers, who seem to be starting the 2026 season on a much stronger note after a difficult campaign last year. It was also a rewarding afternoon for Franco Colapinto, who finally managed to score his first points for the team.
Red Bull, however, experienced a far more frustrating weekend. Max Verstappen’s retirement after battling his way up to the points was a disappointing outcome for the Bulls, but it also underlines how unpredictable the opening phase of the season can be and what surprises we may face with these new cars and regulations.
Mason Round – ApexMotorsports.co.uk Contributor
Following the Australian Grand Prix, I felt a lot of uncertainty and dislike towards 2026’s new regulations from fans across Formula One. Yet, this weekend’s Chinese GP, I believe, proved just what these new cars are capable of, despite the huge issues still apparent.
With dramatic twists and turns across the field, from Ferrari’s on-track battles to Haas and Alpine elbowing it out inside the top ten, this race felt more free-flowing and dynamic compared to years gone by.
With overtakes that simply were not possible in the DRS trains of old, I believe the racing action this weekend has excelled in improving Formula One’s entertainment factor – rather than watering it down. Fewer good things can be said about the reliability of these new machines however, with over 31% of the grid not making the chequered flag.
A special mention must also go to the second youngest grand prix winner Kimi Antonelli, in what was a drive beyond his years to take home his maiden victory. An overall exciting weekend of racing in China, leaving me hotly anticipating F1’s return in two weeks’ time.
Lucas Hamilton – ApexMotorsports.co.uk Contributor
The Chinese Grand Prix showed another side to the new regulations. Yes, there was still the lifting and coasting to keep energy in the battery; a much more strategic Grand Prix played out. Saturday showed the limitations in the tyres, the fact that the cars couldn’t push flat out and retain all the grip they could last year added another element to a race where everything was up in arms. It also reinforced the idea that no-one is impenitrable.
Problems for both McLaren cars, Max Verstappen, and George Russell over the weekend showed that only the Ferrari’s have been lucky out of the top four teams, something they should capitalise on before a reliability issue inevitably plagues them.
The race was an amazing spectacle yet again, the first few laps having a brilliant fight for the lead, the Safety Car coming out, for Lance Stroll’s battered Aston Martin battery caving in, at the perfect time, and the brief moments where Colapinto was defending aggressively from everyone, keeping Max Verstappen at bay as his teammate and the two Haas cars fought for all their might to keep everyone else behind was something I wished the TV feed picked up on more.
However, the reason the feed didn’t was also great. A legitimate fight for the podium places between three of the best drivers in the sport was the best reason not to see a six-car battle in the midfield.
All in all it was another brilliant spectacle put on by Formula One, with a composed drive out front from Kimi Antonelli (bar that one blooper with just four laps to go), to take his first victory commandingly, and a great race from Lewis Hamilton to take his first podium in Ferrari red the cherry on top of another amazing weekend these new Formula One regulations have brought us.
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Kimi Antonelli takes maiden win at Chinese Grand Prix
- Formula 1 confirm cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
- Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest pole sitter ahead of Chinese Grand Prix
- 2026 Chinese Grand Prix – Sprint Race results
- F1 Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP to be cancelled, reports suggest
- George Russell controls Chinese GP sprint qualifying to pole
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The ApexMotorsports.co.uk Team brings together the voices of our writers and contributors covering the latest stories from across the motorsport world. From race analysis and breaking news to opinion and event coverage, our team provides insight into Formula One, World Rally Championship and other major racing series.
ApexMotorsports.co.uk
The ApexMotorsports.co.uk Team brings together the voices of our writers and contributors covering the latest stories from across the motorsport world. From race analysis and breaking news to opinion and event coverage, our team provides insight into Formula One, World Rally Championship and other major racing series.
