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Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix

Grandprix of Chinese Grand Prix
city
Shanghai
Circuit length
5.451 km
rounds count
56
fastest lap
1:35.454

Chinese Grand Prix

The Chinese Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 schedule in 2024. Formula 1 raced at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2019 but didn't visit in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The return Grand Prix was won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. The circuit combines long straights and some technical corners, typical of a Hermann Tilke design.

F1 Standings

2025
    Pos.NameTeamRoundsTimePoints
    1Oscar PiastriMcLaren561:30:55.0260
    2Lando NorrisMcLaren56+9.7480
    3George RussellMercedes AMG F1 team56+11.0970
    4Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing56+16.6560
    5Esteban OconHaas F156+49.9690
    6Kimi Antonelli (ITA)Mercedes AMG F1 team56+53.7480
    7Alexander AlbonWilliams56+56.3210
    8Oliver Bearman (GBR)Haas F156+1:01.3030
    9Lance StrollAston Martin F1 team56+1:10.2040
    10Carlos SainzWilliams56+1:16.3870
    11Isack Hadjar (FRA)Racing Bulls56+1:18.8750
    12Liam Lawson (NZL)Red Bull Racing56+1:21.1470
    13Jack Doohan (AUS)Alpine F1 team56+1:28.4010
    14Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA)Stake F1 Team551Lap0
    15Nico HulkenbergStake F1 Team551Lap0
    16Yuki TsunodaRacing Bulls551Lap0
    17Fernando AlonsoAston Martin F1 team4DNF0
    18Charles LeclercFerrari-DSQ0
    19Lewis HamiltonFerrari-DSQ0
    20Pierre GaslyAlpine F1 team-DSQ0

    The Chinese Grand Prix

    The Chinese Grand Prix was the fifth round in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. Since 2004, Hermann Tilke's circuit has been an F1 track. The fastest lap was driven by Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari. He has never been beaten since then. In 2018, Sebastian Vettel was one second below Schumi's time, with a lap in qualifying on Saturday. Schumacher's 1:32.238 has never been broken during a race.

    Chinese F1 history

    In the early 1990s, the Chinese government planned for the circuit to be placed in Zhuhai, in south China. The track was built, and then in 1999, the race was added to the F1 World Championship. However, the track failed to meet certain FIA standards until 2004. The first-ever race was won by Scuderia Ferrari and former driver Rubens Barrichello. But the next year, it hosted one of the most iconic races in F1’s recent history. With Ferrari’s dominance in the early 2000s, it was down to Fernando Alonso and the Renault F1 team to end the Italians’ success. The Chinese Grand Prix was the last round of the F1 calendar in 2005. The next season (2006) was Michael Schumacher's final race victory in Formula 1.

    Rumours began to circulate about the future of the Chinese Grand Prix. After a few years of speculation, former F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone finally put the matter to bed, saying: “We are not dropping anything. (It’s) 20 races – getting ready for 25.”

    In February 2011, it was announced that the Grand Prix would be getting an extension following years of uncertainty. When Liberty Media first took over F1, there were talks of multiple visits to China, but that all stopped when COVID-19 started. The Chinese border was effectively closed, and all international sporting events were cancelled. In 2023, Formula 1 confirmed its return to China for 2024. The event was the first sprint format of the season. It was won by Max Verstappen and he became the first driver from outside the top three on the grid to win a sprint. He went on to dominate Sunday's main race.

    What will the Chinese Grand Prix race weekend look like?

    The race in China will be held in early April. It will also be the first sprint race weekend on the 2024 Formula 1 calendar, meaning teams will only have one practice session to get used to the circuit with the modern cars. The race will start on Sunday, 21st April, at 8am UK time.

    What time does the Chinese Grand Prix start?

    As in previous years, the Chinese GP can be followed live on GPblog from half an hour before the start. The start time is 15:00, and the race can also be followed live on your local TV service. In the United Kingdom, this is Sky Sports.