Formula 1 - Chinese Grand Prix
Chinese Grand Prix
Display & Timezone
Display & Timezone
Showing times for Africa/Nairobi
Timezone
Africa - Nairobi
13 - 15 Mar
Completed
Shanghai International Circuit
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Track Info
Shanghai International Circuit - Shanghai, China
Permanent road course in Jiading - clockwise - distinctive "snail" complexes and a 1.17 km back straight
When was the track built?
Commissioned in the early 2000s to showcase China on the global stage, construction began in 2003 on reclaimed marshland in Jiading. The Hermann Tilke design opened in 2004 with vast twin grandstands over the pit straight and a paddock styled as lakeside team pavilions.
The layout was inspired by the Chinese character for "shang" and is known for its tightening, multi-apex first corner and a very long back straight. The venue has hosted annual international events and received surface and facilities refreshes ahead of recent Grands Prix.
When was its first race?
The circuit’s first race was the 2004 Chinese Grand Prix, won by Rubens Barrichello. Formula 1 returned in 2024 after a hiatus, restoring Shanghai to the calendar.
What's the circuit like?
- Snail openers: Turns 1-4 form a tightening right into a looping left that tests patience, front-end bite and traction. A small mistake at Turn 1 snowballs through the entire complex.
- High-g mid sector: Turns 7-8 are fast direction changes that load the car for seconds at a time, exposing balance issues and tyre temps.
- Long back straight: About 1,175 m from Turn 13 to the heavy-braking hairpin at Turn 14. Perfect slipstream and DRS territory.
- Two DRS zones: One down the back straight into Turn 14 and one on the pit straight, creating back-to-back overtaking chances.
- Strategy trends: Wide variety of corner speeds stresses both axles. Track evolution can be large, and wind direction shifts affect Turn 1 rotation and Turn 14 braking.
- Benchmark pace: Official F1 race lap record 1:32.238. Recent qualifying poles sit in the low-to-mid 1:33s on a rubbered-in surface.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:32.238 - Michael Schumacher, 2004 Chinese GP - current 5.451 km layout.
- FIA WEC (LMP1 reference): 1:45.892 - Sébastien Buemi, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, 2017 6 Hours of Shanghai era.
- MotoGP (bike layout): 1:59.273 - Valentino Rossi, 2008 Chinese GP on the motorcycle configuration.
- Formula E: Since 2024, the Shanghai E-Prix uses a shorter West Circuit configuration tailored for electric single-seaters.
- Porsche Carrera Cup Asia: Long-time resident series with large 992 GT3 Cup fields, usually supporting major international events.
Why go?
Shanghai dishes up big grandstands, sweeping sightlines and one of F1’s most varied laps. The first corner complex is unlike anything else on the calendar, while the back-straight hairpin produces classic late-braking duels. The city’s food scene and fast metro links make race logistics easy for fans.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1-2 complex: See the entire tightening "snail" from entry to the switch to Turn 3. Brilliant for starts and restarts.
- Turns 7-8: High-speed direction change where car balance and courage show. Great for photography as drivers clip both apexes.
- Turn 14 hairpin: End of the 1.17 km straight and prime passing zone with DRS. Expect out-braking attempts and switchbacks.
- Main grandstand: Pit stops, grid procedures and the sprint to the chequered flag with a panoramic view of the winged pit complex.
Not just F1: Chinese and world series at Shanghai
FIA World Endurance Championship: Hosted the 6 Hours of Shanghai through 2019 with hybrid prototypes and LM GTE cars flat out into Turn 14.
MotoGP (2005-2008): The world championship bike era produced dramatic racing in mixed weather on its own bike-spec layout.
Formula E Shanghai E-Prix: Modern electric single-seaters on a bespoke West Circuit bring energy management strategy to the weekend.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia: A staple since 2004 with deep pro and Pro-Am grids, often racing alongside F1.
Touring and GT: WTCC/WTCR, TCR Asia and China GT have all raced here, plus special events like the V8 Supercars China round in 2005.
Hotels & Accommodation
Chinese Grand Prix
13 - 15 Mar
Completed
Shanghai International Circuit
Track Info
Shanghai International Circuit - Shanghai, China
Permanent road course in Jiading - clockwise - distinctive "snail" complexes and a 1.17 km back straight
When was the track built?
Commissioned in the early 2000s to showcase China on the global stage, construction began in 2003 on reclaimed marshland in Jiading. The Hermann Tilke design opened in 2004 with vast twin grandstands over the pit straight and a paddock styled as lakeside team pavilions.
The layout was inspired by the Chinese character for "shang" and is known for its tightening, multi-apex first corner and a very long back straight. The venue has hosted annual international events and received surface and facilities refreshes ahead of recent Grands Prix.
When was its first race?
The circuit’s first race was the 2004 Chinese Grand Prix, won by Rubens Barrichello. Formula 1 returned in 2024 after a hiatus, restoring Shanghai to the calendar.
What's the circuit like?
- Snail openers: Turns 1-4 form a tightening right into a looping left that tests patience, front-end bite and traction. A small mistake at Turn 1 snowballs through the entire complex.
- High-g mid sector: Turns 7-8 are fast direction changes that load the car for seconds at a time, exposing balance issues and tyre temps.
- Long back straight: About 1,175 m from Turn 13 to the heavy-braking hairpin at Turn 14. Perfect slipstream and DRS territory.
- Two DRS zones: One down the back straight into Turn 14 and one on the pit straight, creating back-to-back overtaking chances.
- Strategy trends: Wide variety of corner speeds stresses both axles. Track evolution can be large, and wind direction shifts affect Turn 1 rotation and Turn 14 braking.
- Benchmark pace: Official F1 race lap record 1:32.238. Recent qualifying poles sit in the low-to-mid 1:33s on a rubbered-in surface.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 (race lap): 1:32.238 - Michael Schumacher, 2004 Chinese GP - current 5.451 km layout.
- FIA WEC (LMP1 reference): 1:45.892 - Sébastien Buemi, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, 2017 6 Hours of Shanghai era.
- MotoGP (bike layout): 1:59.273 - Valentino Rossi, 2008 Chinese GP on the motorcycle configuration.
- Formula E: Since 2024, the Shanghai E-Prix uses a shorter West Circuit configuration tailored for electric single-seaters.
- Porsche Carrera Cup Asia: Long-time resident series with large 992 GT3 Cup fields, usually supporting major international events.
Why go?
Shanghai dishes up big grandstands, sweeping sightlines and one of F1’s most varied laps. The first corner complex is unlike anything else on the calendar, while the back-straight hairpin produces classic late-braking duels. The city’s food scene and fast metro links make race logistics easy for fans.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1-2 complex: See the entire tightening "snail" from entry to the switch to Turn 3. Brilliant for starts and restarts.
- Turns 7-8: High-speed direction change where car balance and courage show. Great for photography as drivers clip both apexes.
- Turn 14 hairpin: End of the 1.17 km straight and prime passing zone with DRS. Expect out-braking attempts and switchbacks.
- Main grandstand: Pit stops, grid procedures and the sprint to the chequered flag with a panoramic view of the winged pit complex.
Not just F1: Chinese and world series at Shanghai
FIA World Endurance Championship: Hosted the 6 Hours of Shanghai through 2019 with hybrid prototypes and LM GTE cars flat out into Turn 14.
MotoGP (2005-2008): The world championship bike era produced dramatic racing in mixed weather on its own bike-spec layout.
Formula E Shanghai E-Prix: Modern electric single-seaters on a bespoke West Circuit bring energy management strategy to the weekend.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia: A staple since 2004 with deep pro and Pro-Am grids, often racing alongside F1.
Touring and GT: WTCC/WTCR, TCR Asia and China GT have all raced here, plus special events like the V8 Supercars China round in 2005.
