Sprint Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix offered more than just a grid order—it also delivered a revealing snapshot of the power‑unit landscape in 2026.
The top‑speed figures from the session showed a striking divide between the engine manufacturers, with Mercedes‑powered teams emerging as the clear benchmark and Ferrari‑powered cars struggling to keep pace.
Mercedes power sets the standard
Across all Mercedes‑powered teams—Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, and Alpine—the average top speed reached an impressive 335.5 km/h, the highest of any power‑unit group. Even more telling was the consistency: both the works Mercedes cars and their customer teams were clustered near the top of the charts.
Williams hit 337 km/h, while Mercedes themselves reached 335 km/h, confirming that the German manufacturer currently offers the most efficient and powerful package on the grid.
This top‑speed advantage aligns with Mercedes’ dominant on‑track form, as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli locked out the front row in Sprint Qualifying. Their straight‑line efficiency gave them a decisive edge, particularly in Shanghai’s long back‑straight sector.
Alpine surprise with the fastest single speed
Perhaps the biggest shock came from Alpine, who recorded the highest single top speed of the session at 339 km/h—and unusually, this was achieved on the start‑finish straight rather than the back straight.
While Alpine’s overall performance remains inconsistent, this moment of top‑speed brilliance suggests that the team has learned to compensate for its chronic power deficit through aggressive low‑drag aero setups. Their experience managing inefficiencies in previous seasons may now be paying dividends.
Audi impress with a strong showing
Audi also delivered a quietly impressive performance, with their works team averaging 334 km/h, placing them just behind Mercedes in the PU rankings. The German manufacturer appears to have made significant strides in both power and efficiency, giving their drivers competitive straight‑line performance even if the overall package is still developing.
Ferrari power struggles for efficiency
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Ferrari‑powered teams endured a difficult day. Their average top speed of 330.3 km/h placed them second‑slowest among the engine manufacturers—closer to Honda’s 326 km/h than to Mercedes’ leading figure.
Ferrari’s works team reached 330 km/h, while Cadillac managed 328 km/h, reinforcing the trend. The deficit was visible on track as both Ferrari drivers complained about straight‑line losses, and Lewis Hamilton openly acknowledged the need for more power after qualifying.
This lack of efficiency left Ferrari vulnerable on Shanghai’s long straights, where they were unable to match the punch of the Mercedes‑powered cars.
Honda power trails the field
Aston Martin, the sole Honda‑powered team, recorded the lowest top speeds of the session at 326 km/h. While the team’s chassis remains competitive in cornering phases, the lack of straight‑line performance continues to limit their qualifying potential.