Sergio 'Checo' Pérez was unable to participate in the sprint qualifying for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix due to a fuel system failure in his Cadillac car, forcing him to start from the last position. Mercedes dominated the session with George Russell on pole and Kimi Antonelli in second. The Mexican, returning to Formula 1 after a year away, faces challenges in his debut with the American team.
The 2026 Formula 1 season reached its second race at the Chinese Grand Prix, the first weekend with sprint format this year, at the Shanghai International Circuit. Sergio 'Checo' Pérez, driver for Cadillac F1 Team, faced technical issues that kept him out of the sprint qualifying on Friday, March 13.
The Mexican reported a fuel pump failure from the end of the single free practice session, an issue persisting since the Bahrain preseason tests. 'Unfortunately, we've been suffering in that area for a long time, too long, so yes, it's very frustrating. We haven't been able to resolve it and it's happened many times', Pérez stated, according to Motorsports reports. His team is working to fix it ahead of the sprint race, scheduled for 21:00 Central Mexico time, with 19 laps and a distance of about 100 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Mercedes solidified its early season dominance, after winning in Australia with George Russell first and Andrea Kimi Antonelli second. In the sprint qualy, Russell took pole, followed by Antonelli, completing a 1-2 for the German team. Lando Norris of McLaren will start third, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull eighth, still adapting to his car.
The sprint starting grid is as follows: 1. George Russell (Mercedes), 2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 3. Lando Norris (McLaren), 4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 9. Oliver Bearman (Red Bull), 10. Isaac Hadjar (Red Bull), 11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 12. Esteban Ocon (Red Bull), 13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), 14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls), 16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine), 17. Carlos Sainz (Williams), 18. Alex Albon (Williams), 19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac), 22. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac).
The Shanghai circuit, 5.451 meters long with 16 turns, favors overtaking with its long straights and strong braking zones, adapted to the new 2026 technical regulations. Pérez, who finished 16th in his Australia debut, seeks data to improve Cadillac's performance in this intense weekend.
