Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai’s iconic circuit returned to the F1 calendar in 2024 after a five-year absence, and it came back with a bang. One of the longest back straights in Formula 1, a uniquely looping layout, and a Sprint weekend format make China one of the most strategically rich races of the season.
Circuit Facts
About the Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit was purpose-built for Formula 1 and hosted its inaugural grand prix in 2004, with Michael Schumacher taking the first win. Designed by Hermann Tilke, it features one of his most distinctive layouts — a spiral-shaped opening sector that gradually tightens as it descends, followed by a flowing middle section and a back straight that is among the longest and fastest in the entire championship.
After the circuit disappeared from the calendar from 2020 onwards due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions, Shanghai made a triumphant return in 2024. The circuit rewarded drivers and teams who had studied its peculiar characteristics: the long Turn 6–7 looping left-hander demands consistent downforce loading, while the Turn 13 hairpin at the end of the back straight is the circuit’s definitive overtaking point, with a huge DRS zone leading cars into the braking zone.
China features a Sprint weekend format in 2026, meaning Friday hosts Sprint Qualifying and Saturday the Sprint race itself, with the main qualifying held Friday afternoon. This compressed schedule produces a unique strategic picture, as teams have minimal data going into qualifying and must make rapid setup adjustments between sessions.
Key Corners
Four sections that define the Shanghai challenge and most influence race results.
Turns 1–2 — The Opening Hairpin
A wide entry that feeds into a slightly banked double-apex hairpin, Turns 1–2 set the tone for the whole lap. The wide run-in allows multiple lines and creates genuine overtaking opportunities on lap one. Getting through cleanly sets up a strong run into the flowing middle sector and is crucial for protecting or advancing position.
Turns 6–7 — The Loop
Shanghai’s most visually distinctive feature — a long looping left-hand arc that gradually tightens mid-corner. Cars carry significant lateral load for several seconds, making this uniquely punishing on the left-front tyre. Teams must balance downforce level carefully to avoid graining through this extended radius bend.
Turn 13 — Back Straight Hairpin
The longest DRS zone on the circuit leads cars at enormous speed into the Turn 13 hairpin, which is the primary overtaking opportunity of the lap. Drivers can attempt a late-brake move here having had over a kilometre to close a gap using DRS. This corner decides a large proportion of the race’s significant position changes.
Turn 16 — Final Hairpin
A tight right-hander at the end of the lap that feeds onto the start/finish straight, Turn 16 demands clean traction and a precise racing line. A good exit here carries down the entire straight and sets up the DRS zone ahead, making a fast exit here as important as any other single corner for lap time.
Race Atmosphere
Shanghai’s return to the calendar in 2024 was warmly welcomed, with large crowds filling the vast grandstands for the first time in five years. Chinese F1 fans are a growing and passionate group, and the sport’s popularity in the country has expanded significantly during the period of absence. The circuit is located in a northern district of Shanghai and is accessible via metro, making it straightforward for both local fans and travelling visitors to attend across the weekend.
The Sprint format adds extra value for spectators, with the Saturday Sprint providing a full separate race result alongside the Sunday main event. For fans wanting to maximise their racing weekend, China is one of the best value propositions on the calendar, offering six distinct on-track sessions compared to the five of a conventional race weekend.
Tyre Strategy
Pirelli nominates the Medium and Hard compounds for the main race in China, with the Soft allocated for qualifying and Sprint sessions. The circuit’s long back straight places a premium on low-drag aerodynamic configuration, which can increase tyre stress in the corners by reducing mechanical downforce in high-speed sections. The Turn 6–7 loop causes pronounced left-front wear, a factor that can drive teams towards a two-stop strategy in warmer conditions despite the relatively long lap.
The Turn 13 hairpin creates a significant under-braking stress on the front axle, adding to front tyre fatigue. Sprint weekend logistics also influence tyre allocation, as sets used in the Sprint race and Sprint Qualifying are not available for the Sunday race, making compound conservation on Saturday an important strategic consideration.
How to Watch in the UK
Sky Sports F1
Live coverage of all six sessions including the Sprint race. China is an early-morning live event in UK time — race day starts around 7am GMT.
Channel 4
Free-to-air extended highlights of qualifying, Sprint, and main race. Available on Channel 4 and the Channel 4 streaming app.
F1 TV Pro
All sessions live with onboard cameras, team radio, and live data. Subscription required. Check local blackout restrictions.
Broadcast times vary by year — check our TV Schedule page for exact session times.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2024 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2023 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Not held | |
| 2021 | Not held — COVID-19 cancellation | |