Grand Prix China
The Chinese Grand Prix has been held at the Shanghai International Circuit since 2004. The event traditionally takes place in April, often as one of the first races of the F1 season in Asia. In the early years, the attendance of Chinese fans was modest, but the popularity has grown strongly. Partly due to the marketing efforts of F1 and the first Chinese F1 driver Zhou Guanyu who drove for Sauber/Kick until 2024. The Chinese Grand Prix will be held from 21 March to 23 March 2025
Plan your Formula 1 trip to China now
Dreaming of a racing experience in the heart of modern Asia? With a Grand Prix China travel package you will experience the perfect balance between a challenging race track and one of the world's most fascinating cities. Enquire today about an F1 China trip and experience how the intense sport of racing meets the rich contrasts of China's bustling commercial capital.
History Grand Prix China
Over the years, the race has produced some memorable moments. Ferrari's early dominance has given way to a alternating series of winners. The race has marked several turning points in the sport, including Red Bull Racing's first victory, which heralded the beginning of a new force in F1, and Nico Rosberg's first win, which symbolised Mercedes' return to the top.
The circuit has regularly produced exciting races, combining technical challenges with overtaking opportunities. Shanghai was also chosen as the venue for the milestone 1000th Grand Prix in F1 history, underlining the importance of the Chinese market to the sport.
Lewis Hamilton has emerged as the most dominant driver at this circuit with six wins.
Previous winners
2025 - Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2024 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2019 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Shanghai International Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit is a 5.451 km long circuit. It opened in 2004 and cost around $450 million at the time, making it one of the most expensive F1 circuits ever built.
The most striking feature is the layout, which mimics the Chinese character 'shang' (上). The circuit has 16 turns and is characterised by the unique first section: an increasingly tight spiral corner (turns 1-2-3) ending in a hairpin. This section places extreme loads on the front wheels and often causes understeer.
The paddock facilities are impressive, with a futuristic pit building resembling traditional Chinese pavilions. The circuit has a capacity of around 200,000 spectators, although this is rarely used to its full capacity.
The most popular way to reach the circuit is by metro. Line 11 has a special station "Shanghai Circuit" that takes visitors directly to the entrance of the circuit. During race weekends, extra trains run and the timetable is extended to cope with the large influx.
About Shanghai
Shanghai is China's largest and most cosmopolitan city. As China's financial and commercial centre, the city offers a fascinating contrast between old and new.
Pudong's skyline with its towering skyscrapers is the modern face of the city. The famous Bund across the river offers an impressive collection of historic European-style buildings from the colonial era.
Shanghai's old town areas such as Yuyuan and the French Concession area show the historical side of the city, with traditional Chinese gardens and narrow alleys (longtangs).
The city is known for its excellent culinary scene, from street food to refined Michelin-starred restaurants.
Shanghai has an excellent public transport network, with one of the largest and most efficient metro systems in the world, making exploring the city easy.