Chinese Grand Prix
{{Short description|Formula One Grand Prix}}{{about|the Formula One race}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{F1 race
| Name = Chinese Grand Prix
| Flag = Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg
| Circuit = Shanghai International Circuit
(2004–2019, 2024–present)
| Circuit_image = Shanghai International Racing Circuit track map.svg
| Laps = 56
| Circuit_length_km = 5.451
| Circuit_length_mi = 3.387
| Race_length_km = 305.066
| Race_length_mi = 189.559
| First_held = 2004
| Last_held =
| Times_held = 18
| Most_wins_driver = {{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton (6)
| Most_wins_constructor = {{flagicon|DEU}} Mercedes (6)
| Current_year = 2025
| Pole_driver = {{flagicon|AUS}} Oscar Piastri
| Pole_team = McLaren-Mercedes
| Pole_time = 1:30.641
| Winner = {{flagicon|AUS}} O. Piastri
| Winning_team = McLaren-Mercedes
| Winning_time = 1:30:55.026
| Second = {{flagicon|GBR}} L. Norris
| Second_team = McLaren-Mercedes
| Second_time = +9.748
| Third = {{flagicon|GBR}} G. Russell
| Third_team = Mercedes
| Third_time = +11.097
| Fastest_lap_driver = {{flagicon|GBR}} Lando Norris{{Efn|Lewis Hamilton originally set the fastest lap, but was later disqualified as the thickness of the plank assembly was below the minimum thickness required.{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/breaking-hamilton-disqualified-from-chinese-gp-after-skid-block-breach-as.6L1hYOxfmeSeNUnMpHQLaz|title=Hamilton disqualified from Chinese GP after skid block breach as Ferrari suffer double disqualification|website=Formula 1.com|date=23 March 2025|access-date=23 March 2025}} Lando Norris, initially having the second-fastest lap, was recognised for setting the fastest lap of the race.{{cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/system/files/decision-document/2025_chinese_grand_prix_-_final_race_classification.pdf|title=2025 Chinese Grand Prix – Final Race Classification|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile |date=23 March 2025 |access-date=23 March 2025}}}}
| Fastest_lap_team = McLaren-Mercedes
| Fastest_lap = 1:35.454
}}
The Chinese Grand Prix ({{zh|s=中国大奖赛|p=Zhōngguó Dàjiǎngsài}}) is a round of the Formula One World Championship. The event was held every year from 2004 until 2019 before it was suspended from 2020 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The event resumed in 2024 and is contracted to be held until 2030.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=Formula 1 to race in Shanghai until 2030 with new five-year extension|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-to-race-in-shanghai-until-2030-with-new-five-year-extension.773NjupGSMZ1sBQZUfTgY3|access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Formula 1 |language=en }}
It is currently held at the Shanghai International Circuit, Jiading, Shanghai. Designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in 2004, the US$240 million Shanghai course was the most expensive Formula One circuit facility{{cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/2002/Oct/46457.htm |title=Grand Prix Shanghai Set to Go |publisher=China.org.cn |date=22 October 2002 |access-date=4 October 2010 |archive-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404031353/http://www.china.org.cn/english/2002/Oct/46457.htm |url-status=live }} until the $6 billion Abu Dhabi course opened five years later.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/abu-dhabi---ndash-fasttrack-to-future-of-f1-1812156.html |title=Abu Dhabi – fast-track to future of F1 |publisher=independent.co.uk |date=31 October 2009 |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-date=11 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111024108/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/abu-dhabi---ndash-fasttrack-to-future-of-f1-1812156.html |url-status=live }} The {{Convert|5.451|km|abbr=on}} track features one of the trickiest corner combinations on the Formula One calendar: Turn 1 and 2, a demanding 270-degree, right-handed corner combination whose radius decreases as the corner progresses.
History
In the early 1990s, the Chinese government began seeking to host an F1 race. After the Zhuhai International Circuit was opened in 1996 in the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, southern China, a race there was provisionally added to the 1999 F1 World Championship calendar.{{Cite web |last=Grandprix.com |date=9 February 1998 |title=China definite for 1999 |url=http://www.grandprix.com//news/china-definite-for-1999.html |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=www.grandprix.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202113210/https://www.grandprix.com//news/china-definite-for-1999.html |url-status=live }} However, the track failed to meet FIA standard resulting in the race being cancelled.{{Cite web |date=20 December 1998 |title=Chinese Grand Prix cancelled |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/formula_1/233492.stm |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=BBC News |quote=The Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for 21 March next year has been cancelled. The sport's governing body - the International Automobile Federation (FIA) - blamed problems "experienced by the organisers". |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006165117/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/formula_1/233492.stm |url-status=live }}
In 2002, it was announced that the management of the Shanghai International Circuit, with assistance from the organizers of the Macau Grand Prix, had signed a seven-year contract with Formula One Management to host the Chinese Grand Prix from 2004 until 2011. The first Chinese Grand Prix, held on 26 September 2004, was won by Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. The following year, it hosted the final round of the Formula One championship, in which the newly crowned world champion Fernando Alonso won and claimed the constructor's title for Renault. In 2006, the Chinese Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher, his last victory in Formula One.
In November 2008, the BBC reported that a senior race official, Qiu Weichang, had suggested that the money-losing race might be cancelled. Following a similar announcement about the French Grand Prix, Qiu said that the race's future was under consideration, and a decision would be made in 2009.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7728866.stm | work=BBC News | title=China considers ditching F1 race | date=14 November 2008 | access-date=28 April 2010 | archive-date=30 December 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230070528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7728866.stm | url-status=live }}
2010 came and went with no formal announcement of an extension to the initial seven-race deal struck in 2004. However, immediately after the 2010 Shanghai race Bernie Ecclestone, who manages the contracts with the various circuits, said of the 2011 calendar, "We are not dropping anything. [It's] 20 races – getting ready for 25".{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8624387.stm | work=BBC News | title=Bernie Ecclestone reveals F1 extension to 20 races | date=16 April 2010 | access-date=22 February 2011 | archive-date=13 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313044701/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8624387.stm | url-status=live }}
It was only in February 2011 that a deal was agreed between F1 and the organisers of the Chinese round of the world championship. Reasons for the delay appear to have been over the fee paid to F1 to host the race. After racking up losses year after year, the organisers of the race refused to pay the fee required, reported to be amongst the highest paid to host an F1 race. F1 bosses appear to have reduced the fee and the new agreement to host an F1 race ran to 2017.{{cite news | url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110217-shanghai-extends-f1-race-seven-years | title=Shanghai extends F1 race for seven years | publisher=france24.com | date=17 February 2011 | access-date=24 February 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221085025/http://www.france24.com/en/20110217-shanghai-extends-f1-race-seven-years | archive-date=21 February 2011 | df=dmy-all }}
In September 2017, a new three-year contract to host the race was announced, keeping the race on the calendar until 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/9/formula-1-to-race-on-in-china-for-a-further-three-years.html |title=Formula 1 to race on in China for a further three years |website=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One World Championship Ltd |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929115233/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/9/formula-1-to-race-on-in-china-for-a-further-three-years.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2017/09/29/china-extends-formula-1-deal-2020/|title=China extends Formula 1 deal to 2020|last=Coch|first=Mat|date=29 September 2017|work=Speedcafe.com|access-date=29 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135115/https://www.speedcafe.com/2017/09/29/china-extends-formula-1-deal-2020/|archive-date=29 September 2017|url-status=dead}} In 2019 it hosted the 1000th round of the Formula One World Championship.
The 2020 Grand Prix, scheduled for 19 April, was postponed and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.chinese-grand-prix-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak.3g2y5Ngyrk1MbNxQB9hj4s.html|title=2020 F1 Chinese Grand Prix postponed due to novel coronavirus outbreak|date=12 February 2020|website=formula1.com|access-date=12 February 2020|archive-date=12 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212184109/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.chinese-grand-prix-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak.3g2y5Ngyrk1MbNxQB9hj4s.html|url-status=live}} Plans for {{F1|2021}}, {{F1|2022}} and {{F1|2023}} races were announced and later cancelled.{{Cite web |title=Chinese Grand Prix cancelled over COVID |url=https://news.sky.com/story/chinese-grand-prix-cancelled-over-covid-12760138 |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202150159/https://news.sky.com/story/chinese-grand-prix-cancelled-over-covid-12760138 |url-status=live }} The Grand Prix returned to the Formula One calendar in 2024.{{Cite web |title=F1 2024 calendar revealed: Saturday night Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to kick off record 24-race season |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12915418/f1-2024-calendar-revealed-saturday-night-grands-prix-in-bahrain-and-saudi-arabia-to-kick-off-record-24-race-season |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}
Winners
= Repeat winners (drivers) =
Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| Wins
! Driver ! Years won |
|---|
| 6
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Lewis Hamilton |
| rowspan="2"| 2
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Fernando Alonso |
| {{flagicon|GER}} Nico Rosberg |
| colspan=3|Source:{{cite web|title=Chinese GP|url=https://www.chicanef1.com/indiv.pl?name=Chinese%20GP&type=O|publisher=ChicaneF1|accessdate=3 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825125620/https://www.chicanef1.com/indiv.pl?name=Chinese%20GP&type=O|url-status=live}} |
= Repeat winners (constructors) =
Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| Wins
! Constructor ! Years won |
|---|
| 6
| {{flagicon|GER}} Mercedes |
| rowspan="2"|4
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Ferrari |
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} McLaren |
| 3
| {{flagicon|Austria}} Red Bull |
| colspan=3|Source: |
= Repeat winners (engine manufacturers) =
= By year =
All Chinese Grands Prix have been held at Shanghai International Circuit.{{cite web|title=Shanghai|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/circuit-shanghai.aspx|publisher=StatsF1|language=fr|accessdate=3 September 2021|archive-date=3 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903084556/https://www.statsf1.com/en/circuit-shanghai.aspx|url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| Year
! Driver ! Constructor ! Report |
|---|
| {{F1|2004}}
|{{flagicon|BRA}} Rubens Barrichello |
| {{F1|2005}}
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Fernando Alonso |
| {{F1|2006}}
|{{flagicon|GER}} Michael Schumacher |
| {{F1|2007}}
|{{flagicon|FIN}} Kimi Räikkönen |
| {{F1|2008}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |
| {{F1|2009}}
|{{flagicon|GER}} Sebastian Vettel |
| {{F1|2010}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Jenson Button |
| {{F1|2011}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |
| {{F1|2012}}
|{{flagicon|GER}} Nico Rosberg |
| {{F1|2013}}
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Fernando Alonso |
| {{F1|2014}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |
| {{F1|2015}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |
| {{F1|2016}}
|{{flagicon|GER}} Nico Rosberg |
| {{F1|2017}}
|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |
| {{F1|2018}}
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Daniel Ricciardo |
| {{F1|2019}}
| {{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Report |
| style="background:#dddddd;"
!2020 | colspan="6" align="center" | Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| {{F1|2024}}
|{{flagicon|NED}} Max Verstappen |
| {{F1|2025}}
|{{flagicon|AUS}} Oscar Piastri |
| colspan=4|Source: |
Support races
In 2004, Formula BMW Asia, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Asian Formula Renault Challenge supported the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix. The latter was not retained in 2005. In 2008, GP2 Asia Series became a support event while Formula BMW Asia was renamed Formula BMW Pacific. 2009 saw Porsche Carrera Cup Asia as the only support event. It remained this way until TCR International Series became a support event in 2015, although this lasted only one year. In 2019, the China Formula Grand Prix and Shell Helix FIA F4 Chinese Championship became support events.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Weibo|f1chinagp|F1中国大奖赛}}
- [https://51gt3.com/en/track/shanghai-international-circuit Track Map - Shanghai International Circuit] at [https://51gt3.com/en/track 51gt3.com]
{{Formula One races}}