Ollie Bearman expressed surprise at his strong showing during the Sprint Qualifying session ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. The Haas driver finished ninth in Sprint Qualifying 3 (SQ3) at the Shanghai International Circuit, positioning himself to compete in the 19-lap Sprint race from the ninth starting spot. Bearman maintained a steady pace throughout the session, finishing the single, one-hour practice session in seventh place before advancing to the final qualifying round. He remarked, “We showed really good pace already from lap one of FP1 and we were able to build on that and go forward.” Despite challenges with the car’s balance, which Bearman described as “a bit on edge,” he managed to complete a clean lap to secure a respectable qualifying position. He added, “It was a tough session, the balance was a bit on edge and difficult to put the lap together but we got there in the end and happy with P9 today.” Starting directly behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Bearman views scoring points in the Sprint race as a realistic goal. With points awarded to the top eight finishers, his ninth-place start places him on the edge of the scoring group. Bearman’s performance marks progress compared to his seventh-place finish in the opening round in Australia. He noted that the gap to the leading teams has narrowed more than expected. “We seem to have closed it a little bit compared to last week, and honestly prior to the weekend, I was not expecting to be in the fight for the top eight because we expected the four teams to be so far ahead,” he explained. He also pointed out that Red Bull did not demonstrate “incredible pace” during qualifying, suggesting Haas could challenge for points if they optimize their performance in the Sprint.#red_bull #max_verstappen #shanghai_international_circuit #ollie_bearman #haas
Chinese GP 2026 Livestream: How to Watch F1 for Free The 2026 Formula 1 season kicked off with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, as teams adapted to new regulations. The first race, the Australian Grand Prix, set the tone for a season filled with both challenges and thrilling moments. While the cars’ design and performance remain under scrutiny, the racing itself has already delivered standout performances, including a dominant showing by George Russell of Mercedes. Now, the focus shifts to the Chinese Grand Prix, the second race of the season, which promises another high-stakes showdown. The Chinese GP will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit, with the full schedule spanning March 12 to 15. Key events include Practice 1 on March 12, followed by Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint race on March 13, Qualifying on March 14, and the main race on March 15. Fans worldwide can follow the action without paying for a subscription, thanks to several free streaming options. To access the races for free, viewers can take advantage of platforms offering trial periods or free access to select events. For those outside the official broadcast regions, using a reliable streaming service with global coverage is recommended. Additionally, some platforms provide live streams of specific races without requiring a paid subscription, making it easier for fans to follow the action from anywhere. The Chinese GP is expected to be a critical race in the early season, with teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren looking to challenge Mercedes’ early dominance. The Sprint format, introduced this year, adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement, as drivers compete for faster lap times in shorter races.#ferrari #mercedes #george_russell #formula_1 #shanghai_international_circuit
