The annual petrolhead pilgrimage is once again upon us, as motorsport fans are called to the Shanghai International Circuit by the siren song of roaring engines.
Big, big boys racing big, big toys at breakneck speeds in the Chinese Grand Prix, all in pursuit of the 2025 Formula One World Championship.
It's all going down this weekend, March 21-23, with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the big race on Sunday.
Here’s the inside track...
The Drivers
Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton & Lando Norris
China’s premiere motorsport event sees the best racers in the world converge on the city.
Will Max Verstappen of Red Bull make it five Drivers' World Championships in a row?
Can McLaren's Lando Norris clinch his first?
Or is six-time Chinese Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton set to get Ferrari back on track and claim his eighth?
This season the Chinese Grand Prix is the second of 24 races, after last weekend's curtain-raiser in Australia.
Norris won in Melbourne from pole position, ahead of Verstappen. But also keep an eye on George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who came in third and fourth respectively.
Other drivers with their eye on the World Championship prize include Norris' McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
The Circuit
Built on a marsh in Jiading District by German master circuit designer Hermann Tilke and his team of 120 architects for a cool USD450 million, the Shanghai International Circuit was the most expensive Formula One circuit facility when completed in 2004.
See the resemblence?
The layout was inspired by the character shang 上 of Shanghai fame. At 5.5 km long, it has widely varying corners, including the challenging turn 1-2-3 complex, which includes a demanding 270-degree, right-handed corner combination whose radius decreases as the corner progresses.
The circuit offers plenty of overtaking opportunities, with F1 cars capable of reaching top speeds of around 345 km/h (214 mph) on the long back straight between corners 13 and 14, one of the longest straights in Formula One.
Getting There
Going by DiDi? Simply search 'Shanghai International Circuit'—it's around one hour drive from downtown Shanghai.
Going by metro? Shanghai Circuit station is on Line 11.
Shanghai International Circuit, 2000 Yining Lu, Jiading District 伊宁路2000号
Top Tips
Formula One is loud. Very loud. Ear plugs are your friend. And if you're taking kids along, maybe consider some noise-cancelling headphones.
There are big screens up around the track, but the graphics can be hard to see, so a pair of binoculars can also be useful, as well as helping your ‘running commentary street cred.’
The Hall of Fame
The Chinese Grand Prix joined the Formula One calendar all the way back in 2004, and over the years has produced some historic moments.
From title deciders to breakthrough wins, strategic masterclasses to final victories, the Shanghai International Circuit has seen it all.
Here are some of the most notable highlights in the race's history.
2004: Barrichello 1st Winner
Michael Schumacher had already secured the 2004 Drivers' World Championship, but it was his Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello who won a commanding victory from a pole position start in the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.
Not the most exciting spectacle, but we were off to the races!
2006: Schumacher’s Final F1 Win
Starting sixth on the grid, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher showcased his mastery in 2006, overtaking rivals and securing a memorable win.
Few people would have suspected at the time, however, that the 91st victory of the German legend's Formula One career would also turn out to be his very last.
2007: Hamilton’s Pit Lane Disaster
The 2007 race is infamous for Lewis Hamilton’s costly mistake. While leading the race, Hamilton stayed out on worn tyres too long and beached his car in the gravel at the pit lane entry.
The error ended up costing Hamilton the championship, which he lost by just one point to Kimi Räikkönen.
The race is also notable as the last where cigarette advertising was openly displayed on a Formula One car.
2008: Hamilton Bounces Back
Lewis Hamilton was not to be Shanghai'd twice, delivering a commanding performance to win the 2008 race by 15 seconds.
The first of Hamilton's record six Chinese Grand Prix victories, it was a critical step toward his first World Championship, which he secured in dramatic fashion at the season finale in Brazil.
2016: Record-Breaking 161 Overtakes
The 2016 race was convincingly won by Nico Rosberg who, on his way to his only World Drivers' Championship, finished over 30 seconds ahead of second-placed Sebastian Vettel.
Arguably more noteable, however, was that the race had a record 161 overtakes, breaking the previous record of 147 set at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.
2024: Race Returns After COVID-19
After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Grand Prix returned last year, being won by—who else?—Red Bull's Max Verstappen, on his way to a fourth World Drivers' Championship.
Will the flying Dutchman be first past the checkered flag again this year?
Full Chinese Grand Prix Winners List
2024: Max Verstappen
2019: Lewis Hamilton
2018: Daniel Ricciardo
2017: Lewis Hamilton
2016: Nico Rosberg
2015: Lewis Hamilton
2014: Lewis Hamilton
2013: Fernando Alonso
2012: Nico Rosberg
2011: Lewis Hamilton
2010: Jenson Button
2009: Sebastian Vettel
2008: Lewis Hamilton
2007: Kimi Raikkonen
2006: Michael Schumacher
2005: Fernando Alonso
2004: Rubens Barrichello
The Hall of Shame
Don't be this guy.
There must have been something in the Shanghai water back in 2015. Firstly, a fan was arrested after he ran onto the track.
The man made it to the other side shortly before one of the cars—which are capable of traveling at speeds of over 300 kilometers an hour—zoomed past. He then ran into the pits, entering Ferrari's garage.
On being apprehended by security and handed over to the police, the man explained that he simply wanted to try one of the vehicles. As you do...
Don't be this guy either.
He may be the record six-time Chinese Grand Prix winner, but Lewis Hamilton made a negative splash after his victory in 2015, opting to concentrate the bubbly spray directly on the face of one of the F1 grid girls hosting the prize presentation ceremony.
While she graciously smiled her way through the ordeal, it was certainly no way to treat a lady, Mr Hamilton sir.
The Parties
VELOCITY - F1 China GP Party @The Shanghai EDITION
Get ready for VELOCITY, the ultimate Formula One China Grand Prix party in Shanghai!
Celebrate the adrenaline-fueled weekend with Shanghai’s top DJs, the coolest party crowd, and fellow F1 enthusiasts at the luxurious Shanghai EDITION hotel on the Bund.
Immerse yourself in high-energy beats, electrifying vibes, and premium entertainment at a party that brings the speed, thrill, and glamour of Formula One to the dance floor.
Whether you're an F1 fanatic or just love an elite party, this is the place to be. Fast cars, bold beats, and unforgettable moments—experience the rush of VELOCITY!
Scan the QR to get your tickets now:
Sat Mar 22, 9pm-2am; RMB168
Electric Circus - The Shanghai EDITION, 7/F, Heritage Building, 199 Nanjing Dong Lu, by Henan Zhong Lu, Huangpu District 南京东路199号辅楼7楼, 近河南中路
Formula One China Grand Prix Party ft. Nicolas Nohra @ La Barra
Space Panda presents an electrifying Formula One China Grand Prix party at La Barra!
The night features two stages: he main room with an international guest DJ delivering deep, driving beats; and the lounge with vinyl DJs, spinning timeless grooves.
Headliner Nicolás Nohra is a Colombian DJ and producer shaping a unique Afro House global sound. Having played in Paris, Miami, Mumbai, Tulum, and New York, his sets bring high energy and deep musicality. This is his Shanghai debut performance.
For table booking and more info, please contact WeChat ID: Emilboo
Sat Mar 22, 9pm-Late; Early Bird RMB128, Presale RMB168, Door RMB198, includes one drink
La Barra, Lane 319 Jiaozhou Lu, Building 30, by Xinzha Lu, Jing'an District 胶州路319弄30号, 进新闸路
Win Tickets!
Finally, if you haven't already secured your F1 tickets, there is still hope.
This Thursday, March 20, head along to Cages from 8pm for F1 Bingo, where they will be giving away two exclusive F1 Paddock Club tickets for the Saturday, along with other exciting F1 prizes!
What is the F1 Paddock Club? Occupying a privileged position to watch the action and offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the F1 Paddock Club is the pinnacle of Formula One hospitality.
Cages will of course also be showing the race on the Sunday. Tickets are RMB100, which includes two drinks.
And why not kick off early, with breakfast sandwiches served from 9-11am, and their regular menu available from 10am.
Scan the QR code to get your tickets now:
Cages, 3/F, Jing'an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu 江宁路428号静安体育中心3楼, 近武定路
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