Will Ferrari be fastest on 'quirky' Shanghai circuit? 2026 Chinese GP Preview
F1 Nation
Formula 1
4.3 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 12 March 2026
⏱️ 22 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
'Mercedes will have less of an advantage... I think there's some magic in the air for Ferrari'. Tom Clarkson and Jolyon Palmer chat through the big talking points ahead of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.
What makes the Shanghai International Circuit such a challenge, and how will the racing be different to what we saw in Australia? Will we see Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren get closer to the pace-setting Mercedes?
The first F1 Sprint weekend of 2026 means less preparation time for everyone, including last year's Chinese Grand Prix winner, Oscar Piastri. Will he 'pay the price' for not racing in Melbourne?
Can Aston Martin unlock more performance, and will Mercedes-powered Williams and Alpine show more speed in Shanghai?
F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026
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This week on F1 Beyond The Grid
Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss on the team's first Grand Prix
Transcript
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| 1:12.7 | I think there's some magic in the air this weekend for Ferrari. |
| 1:15.6 | Oscar Piastri has had, it's been a long week. |
| 1:19.5 | He is going to pay the price for not racing, I think, in Melbourne. |
| 1:29.8 | Welcome everyone to the Shanghai International Circuit for F1 Nation's preview of the Chinese Grand Prix with me Tom Clarkson and Jolian Palmer, former F1 driver turned F1 TV expert. J.P. Good to see you again. |
| 1:37.2 | You had a good trip up from Melbourne? |
| 1:39.4 | I had a reasonable trip up from it. It's a long way, isn't it? |
| 1:42.9 | Deceptively far. |
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