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Chinese GP: Friday's action in pictures

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F1 fans on Shanghai witnessed another commanding performance from Mercedes in Friday’s Sprint qualifying, with the Silver Arrows squad leaving nothing but crumbs for its frustrated rivals.

Here’s our gallery of pictures covering the day’s action at the Chinese GP, round 2 of the 2026 F1 World Championship.

Paddock atmosphere - F1 / Disney / Mickey Mouse show car. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Carmen Montero Mundt with her boyfriend George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Patching / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team with his girlfriend Muni Lily He (CHN) Professional Golfer. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Gene Haas (USA) Haas Automotion President. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 - 'upside-down' rear wing. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 Halo cockpit cover aero detail. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari with his wife Alexandra Leclerc (ITA). 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Patching / XPB Imagesmore
Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26 in the pits. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
The Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03 of Arvid Lindblad (GBR), who stopped in the first practice session. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team stopped in the first practice session. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 - 'upside-down' rear wing. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26 leaves the pits. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Patching / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A526. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team VF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26 with flow-vis paint on the front wing. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Patching / XPB Imagesmore
Flavio Briatore (ITA) Alpine F1 Team Executive Advisor in the FIA Press Conference. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Jonathan Wheatley (GBR) Audi F1 Team, Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Laurent Mekies (FRA) Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO in the FIA Press Conference. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
The helmet of Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team celebrates his pole position in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17 and Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Liam Lawson (NZL) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team VF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Franco Colapinto (ARG) Alpine F1 Team A526. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team celebrates his pole position in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Pole sitter George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Rui Marques (POR) FIA Race Director. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Pirelli tyres. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Alexandra Leclerc (ITA) with Carmen Montero Mundt. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Alexandra Leclerc (ITA) (Right). 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 in Sprint qualifying parc ferme. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) Audi F1 Team R26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A526. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Carlos Sainz (ESP) Williams F1 Team FW48. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03. 13.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Michael Delaney

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Michael Delaney
Tags: 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
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