PADDOCK INSIDER: Teams gear up for Sprint challenge on return to China as the driver market hots up

Formula 1 is back in China for the first time since 2019 – and 20 years after the inaugural Grand Prix in the country.
Though there’s been a bit of a gap, F1 appears to be gathering momentum in the country. Our data shows there are over 100 million F1 fans in the country – half of whom have only started following the sport in the last five seasons.
Next Up
Related Articles
What time is the 2026 Barcelona GP and how can I watch it?
How 'aggressive and ambitious' strategy earned Aston a point
Norris frustrated by McLaren’s ‘unlucky’ run after Monaco DNF
What the teams said – Race day in Monaco
All the key moments from the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix
Betting5 drivers most likely to win in Barcelona
