Formula 1 is returning to Shanghai for the first time since 2019, and because so many fans have been introduced to the sport since the last race in Shanghai, let’s talk about the basics of the race and track!
History of the Chinese Grand Prix
Talks about adding a Chinese Grand Prix to the Formula 1 calendar began in the early 1990s. The race was originally proposed to be held at the Zhuhai International Circuit in Guangdong, China, which opened in 1996. With the opening of this track, the Chinese Grand Prix was tentatively added to the 1999 calendar but was pulled before the start of the season because the Zhuhai Circuit failed to meet FIA standards.
After going back to the drawing board, officials in China were able to muster support for a race to be held at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. Organizers of the iconic Macau Grand Prix were instrumental in facilitating this deal between the Shanghai organizers and Formula 1. The initial contract for the Chinese Grand Prix was for the 7-year period from 2004 to 2011.
But as Formula 1 fans know, just because a race was once on the calendar does not mean it is there to stay. In the late 2000s, when contract renewal discussions began, there was a lot of speculation that the Chinese race was going to be dropped from the calendar due to low attendance and revenue. However, the contract with the Shanghai International Circuit did end up getting extended through 2017, and then again through 2020.
The last time out in Shanghai in 2019, Formula 1 hosted their 1000th race. Unfortunately, the race was temporarily removed from the calendar from 2020-2023 because of the travel restrictions put in place by the Chinese Government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shanghai International Circuit
Location
The Shanghai International Circuit, opened in the summer of 2004 just months before the first grand prix, is located in the Jiading District of Shanghai. Jiading was a separate municipality from Shanghai until 1958, when it was incorporated into Shanghai first as a county and later as a district. Jiading is in the northwest corner of Shanghai, located about 20 km from downtown.
Jiading is a more industrial part of Shanghai, and as such the Circuit is one of the main attractions in Jiading. Another popular tourist attraction is the Jiading Confucian Temple, which is one of the most well-preserved Confucian temples in the entire country of China.
Track Characteristics
The track configuration at the Shanghai International Circuit used for Formula 1 is a 5.451 km loop with 16 turns. Like the last round in Suzuka, there are several high-speed corners, with a few heavier breaking zones mixed in where the drivers are navigating hairpins at turns 6 and 14. The track also has two DRS zones, the first being along the main straight and the second spanning between turns 13 and 14. The latter straight is one of the longest straights on the Formula 1 calendar at almost 1.2 km long.
Fast Facts
The track layout is inspired by the Chinese character “shang”, which is the first character of the city name “Shanghai” and means “above” or “ascend”.
The 2005 season opener was hosted at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2005.
Michael Schumacher’s final victory in Formula 1 was at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.
A modified 3.051 km track layout at the Shanghai International Circuit will be used to host Shanghai’s first E-Prix on May 25, 2024.
Race Winners
2004 – Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari
2005 – Fernando Alonso, Renault
2006 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
2007 – Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
2008 – Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2009 – Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2010 – Jenson Button, McLaren
2011 – Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2012 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2013 – Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
2014 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2015 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2016 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2017 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2018 – Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing
2019 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes