Chinese Grand Prix

The Chinese Grand Prix has been a race on the Formula 1 calendar since 2004. It marked the dream of the Chinese government and long-time F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to race in China.

Plans to hold an F1 race in China had started to take shape during the 1990s. But intentions to add a Grand Prix at the Zhuhai International Circuit to the 1999 calendar fell through after the track failed to meet FIA standards. Yet Ecclestone was intent on F1 holding a Chinese GP.

Support from the organisers of the iconic Macau Grand Prix ultimately helped to pave a path for the first F1 race in China in 2004. Shanghai also replaced Zhuhai as the host city, with the local authorities eager to show their municipality to the world as F1’s fanbase in China grew.

History of the F1 Chinese GP

The Chinese government and the Shanghai authorities were determined to see their plans for a Formula 1 race succeed after the Zhuhai International Circuit’s failures. The support of the Macau Grand Prix organisers would also pay off as they helped to develop a new circuit.

Formula 1 struck a deal with the management of the Shanghai International Circuit to host a Chinese GP in 2002 whilst the track was constructed. It was also the most expensive track F1 had raced at. It cost $240m (£191m) at the time to erect from April 2003 until June 2004.

Renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke designed the Shanghai International Circuit with a blend of cutting-edge facilities and traditional Chinese symbols. It was the first track in China built with Formula 1 viewed as the goal. The first Chinese GP took place in September 2004.

Rubens Barrichello won the first Chinese GP from pole position with Ferrari after fending off Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen. Michael Schumacher had dominated F1 in 2004 to claim the title. But the German spun in the early laps and only recovered for P12 and a lap down.

Shanghai has hosted some important Formula 1 races

Formula 1 then gave the Chinese GP the honour of hosting the final race of the 2005 season. Fernando Alonso this time fended off Raikkonen to win as the Spaniard capped his first title-winning season at Renault. It remains the only time that the Chinese GP was the final round.

The Chinese GP later moved to the opening phase of the F1 calendar for 2009 as part of the early fly-away races. An earlier slot in the schedule also ensured the Shanghai International Circuit held the 1,000th Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2019 as Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won.

Further landmark races at the Shanghai International Circuit include Schumacher’s final win in Formula 1. The German triumphed for the 91st time in F1 at the 2006 Chinese GP, beating Renault’s Alonso – also his title rival that year – and Giancarlo Fisichella in mixed conditions.

Changeable conditions also cost Hamilton at the 2007 Chinese GP as the Briton beached his McLaren in the pit entry. During a sensational rookie season, the Stevenage native held out on worn wet tyres as the track dried. But the, by then semi-slick, tyres did not have any grip.

The 2009 Chinese GP then marked the rise of Red Bull as Sebastian Vettel led Mark Webber home for a one-two. Nico Rosberg also registered his first win in F1 and Mercedes’ first win since 1955 at the 2012 Chinese GP. The Silver Arrows had returned as a works team in 2010.

The future of the Chinese GP was in doubt as soon as 2008

Fears over the future of the Chinese GP grew in November 2008 as BBC Sport reported that senior figures questioned a £34m yearly hosting fee. But the Shanghai International Circuit’s initial seven-year deal rolled on and Formula 1 announced the race’s first extension in 2011.

The Chinese GP would briefly fall off the F1 calendar between 2020 and 2023, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers repeatedly had to cancel the race as China sought to restrict the spread of coronavirus. F1 had aimed to return to China after the series resumed.

What is the Shanghai International Circuit like?

The Shanghai International Circuit can be a challenging test through its mixture of sweeping corners and long straights. Tilke designed the track to signify the Chinese character ‘Shang’, which means ‘above’. The German also created a unique first corner which tightens into T2.

Drivers must be committed as they send their cars into Turn 1 before managing their braking through the ever-tightening T2. The flow lets drivers jostle for positions through both bends before the Turn 3 hairpin left. Turn 6 then presents another great opportunity for overtakes.

Tight fights can continue all the way through the middle sector of the Shanghai International Circuit, as well. Turn 7 offers a chance at a pass through the sweeping left-hander before the heavy-braking points of Turns 9 and 11. But a move into T11 can leave the driver vulnerable.

DRS part-way along the 1.9km (1.2m) straight between Turn 13 and the T14 hairpin is a key overtaking zone. Turn 13 can also pose a challenge in itself with the corner’s banked design. Drivers can also make moves into the last corner at T16 before using DRS on the pit straight.

Winners of the F1 Chinese GP