Haas F1 Team head to Chinese Grand Prix buoyed by opening day points by Ollie Bearman

The result placed Haas fifth in the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship after the first race of the year and provided early confirmation that the team can compete in the tight midfield battle.

Shanghai now presents a different challenge. The Chinese Grand Prix hosts the first Sprint weekend of the season, meaning teams will have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying begins on Friday.

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said: “We’re really looking forward to the Chinese Grand Prix. It’s obviously going to be demanding as it’s a Sprint weekend, and with what we learned from Australia it’s a big challenge to get everything set up.”

Komatsu made clear that preparation time will be the key limitation: “We had three sessions in Melbourne to get ready for qualifying, and of course, for China we only have one practice session to get ready, so that’s going to be the focus.”

Bearman arrives in China encouraged by the team’s performance in the opening race: “I’m happy to come back and I'm very excited, especially off the back of a good first race of the season for us.”

The Shanghai circuit is known for its long opening corner sequence and high load through the opening sector. Bearman said: “It’s a technical track, with super high G forces for us to navigate, so it’s a good thing the Chinese Grand Prix is at the start of the year.”

The British driver expects the Sprint format to increase the pressure on teams still learning the behaviour of the new generation cars: “It’s the first Sprint under these new regulations, so if we thought last week was a challenge, this week is going to demand even more from everyone.”

Ocon believes the opening sector will be one of the key challenges for drivers “Shanghai is a really nice circuit, but it's also a challenge for everyone. The complex Turn 1, 2 and 3 is really demanding and technical, so you need to have good confidence in the car.”

Like many teams early in the season, Haas are still building knowledge of the new car. Ocon said: “As China is a Sprint weekend, it's going to be tough, as we are still so early on in the year and there is more to learn.”

After a promising start in Melbourne, Haas now face a different test in Shanghai as they attempt to maintain their position at the front of the midfield battle.