Formula 1 is heading to Shanghai for the second race of the 2025 season, continuing the double-header.
While it`s still early in the 23-race championship, Lando Norris currently leads the drivers` standings for the first time this season. His McLaren team is also tied with Mercedes in the constructors` championship.
Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most wins in Shanghai, although Max Verstappen secured his first victory here last year. Historically, pole position often translates to a win at this track for drivers like Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Verstappen. Will this trend continue this weekend? McLaren`s last Chinese Grand Prix win was between 2008 and 2011, with Hamilton winning twice and Jenson Button once.
The weather forecast for the weekend predicts warm, sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 25°C. Sunday is expected to be warm and cloudy with a low chance of rain.
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Charles Leclerc mentioned that McLaren`s performance at the Australian Grand Prix was so dominant that his engineer didn`t even mention their lap times. Norris also commented that McLaren has learned from last year`s errors.
Lewis Hamilton described his first race experience with Ferrari as “a lot worse than I thought it would go” in a post-race interview.
Thailand is exploring the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix in Bangkok from 2028, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra commissioning a study into a street circuit race.
For those who missed it, recaps and analysis from the Australian season opener are available, along with discussions on early overreactions from the first race.
Circuit Stats and History
The Shanghai International Circuit, built in 2003 on marshland and former rice paddies at a cost of approximately $450 million, features a unique track design, particularly in Turns 1-4, inspired by the Chinese symbol `Shang`. It boasts one of the longest straights on the F1 calendar, at 1.2km, and has a total capacity of around 200,000.
Uniquely, each F1 team has its own dedicated building instead of the typical motorhomes, designed to resemble Shanghai`s Yuyuan Garden.
First Race: 2004
Laps: 56 laps, each 5.4km, for a total race distance of 305km.
Lap Record: 1:32.238, set by Michael Schumacher in 2004.
Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton with six victories (2008, 2011, 2014-2015, 2017, 2019). Among current drivers, Fernando Alonso (2005, 2013) and Max Verstappen (2024) have also won from pole position here.
Most Poles: Hamilton also leads with seven pole positions (2008, 2011, 2014-2015, 2017, 2019). Alonso (2005, 2013) and Verstappen (2024) are other current grid drivers who have started on pole in Shanghai.
Special Features: The circuit is known for its enormous spiraling opening corner and the iconic pit building with covered bridges over the pit straight.
Driver`s Perspective: Nico Hülkenberg describes the Shanghai race by saying, “When I think of the race in Shanghai, I always remember the impressive towers on the main straight and the cool paddock buildings by the lake. It`s definitely a circuit with a special character and its own personality.”
Chinese Grand Prix
Last Year`s Race
Max Verstappen achieved a dominant victory in the Chinese Grand Prix last year, his first at this circuit. He finished 14 seconds ahead of Lando Norris, even with two safety car periods during the race.
Who is Expected to Win?
Considering McLaren`s car performance in Melbourne, they appear to be strong contenders for victory. While Oscar Piastri will be highly motivated, Lando Norris is still considered the favorite.
Dominic Ashworth