Shanghai
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Track: Shanghai International Circuit
China
The Shanghai International Circuit, is a circuit built in the Jiading District of Shanghai to host the first ever Chinese Grand Prix for the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship. After F1's highly success in Japan, the sport wanted to expand their influence all across Asia. The idea for the Chinese Grand Prix was primarily proposed by Bernie Ecclestone, the former CEO of Formula 1's commercial rights holder. The Chinese Government funded for the construction of the Shanghai International Circuit for hosting a Formula One Grand Prix in China in an effort to increase F1's popularity in Asia.
Bernie Ecclestone (Chinese GP Suggestor)
Onboard Lap using EA SPORTS F1® 24
Bernie Ecclestone had long been looking to expand Formula 1 into China when the government-funded Shanghai International Circuit opened in 2004.
Chinese Grand Prix
Formula One wanted to increase their influence across Asia recently after their Success in Japan. So they figured the next best option, is to host a race in China. China is one of the largest countries in Asia that had a population of over 1.4 billion. nearly a quarter of the Earth's entire population. Formula One could be highly popular in China with that huge population density all over the country. So a Chinese Grand Prix was accepted by the government and began to bring the world of Formula One in China. Construction began in 2003 in preparation for the Grand Prix that would be set to happen in 2004.
Shanghai International Circuit (2003)
Formula One track designer Hermann Tilke, was brought onboard with the construction and designing for the Shanghai International Circuit. Tilke designed the Shanghai International Circuit to promote better racing for the fans and the drivers to experience. He was also responsible for the mission to expand the world of Formula One all over Asia. The track finished construction around 2004, just in time for F1 to host their first Chinese Grand Prix.
Hermann Tilke
Shanghai International Circuit Layout​
Turns: 16
DRS Zones: 2
Length: 5.45km (3.38mi)
Fastest Lap: Michael Schumacher
1:32.238
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Hermann Tilke wanted the Shanghai International Circuit to serve as much racing action as possible, so he designed a challenging turn into turn 1, where drivers would have to go down into turn 1 in a spiral, making contact most likely to happen when drivers are going wheel to wheel. The main straight contained one of the largest pit buildings in a Formula One race track.
But after nearly 11 months of construction, The Shanghai International Circuit was complete and ready for the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship. The Chinese Grand Prix was set to begin on the 26th of September, Round 16 of the World Championship. The race lasted for 56 laps and was won by Ferrari Driver Rubens Barrichello from a pole position start after his successful flying lap during Saturday's qualifying session. Jenson Button finished second for the BAR team, along with Kimi Räikkönen who finished it third place.
Schumacher's last win (Chinese GP 2006)
The Chinese Grand Prix has been such an interesting and unique track for both the fans and the drivers. It has very unique twists in the track making it more different than the other tracks F1 has raced at so far. The track has also served many memorable moments that fans and teams, wouldn't forget. In the 2006, Michael Schumacher won his last win in his entire Formula One career in the Shanghai International Circuit. Schumacher only had 92 Grand Prix victories, and his last victory happened in China. Schumacher held the most Grand Prix victories until the record was eventually broken by 7 time Champion Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
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In 2009, China also happened to be Red Bull's first ever Grand Prix victory done by 4 time Champion, Sebastian Vettel. The young German managed to secure pole position during Saturday's qualifying session, and won the race during difficult conditions at the rain.
Red Bull & Vettel's first Grand Prix Win (Chinese GP 2007)
In 2010, a very dramatic and one of the most bizarre moments to ever happen in Formula One. During the 2010 Chinese GP, Sebastian Buemi's suddenly came of his car while in high speeds in the long straight before the tight hairpin of turn 14. Before even reaching the braking marks, Buemi's Tyres suddenly came of and started to fly of his car, leading the car to skid across the track before eventually getting to hit the barrier.
Sebastian Buemi's Tyres flying (Chinese GP 2007)
In the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Chinese Grand Prix became the 1000th Grand Prix race for Formula One to host ever since it's debut in Silverstone in 1950. It was a very special race weekend for F1 as they celebrated their 1000th Grand Prix race, which was won by 7 time World Champion Lewis Hamilton ahead of his team mate Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel.
F1 1000 (Chinese GP 2019)
The rapid growth of the Shanghai Skyline 20 years later
2004 - 2024
When 2020 came around, the pandemic hit and completely changed the world. Everyone had to stay indoors and had to be under quarantine. The Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled due to COVID-19 being everywhere all over China. Formula One would return, but didn't include all the Asian circuits and only raced in the European and Middle Eastern countries due to the reduction of COVID their. During the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, it was planned for China to make a comeback but, was unfortunately cancelled again due to high presence of COVID still their in China. It wouldn't take long until 2024, when F1 finally made it back to Shanghai.
The Chinese fans during the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, would see the first Chinese Driver, Zhou Guanyu in action racing in front of his home crowd. This would be a special weekend for the fans and for Zhou, as he'll be racing in his home race with all the love and support around the track for him. Despite not having a great result for the team of Kick Sauber, only being able to finish up to P14, he made a few overtakes, enough to please his fans around the circuit. At the end of the Grand Prix, he was given his own Parc Ferme board on the main straight, as he parked the car in front of his home crowd, thanking them for their love and support for him. Today, Formula One's presence in China is still strong. The Chinese fans were able to see a Chinese driver race in his home circuit, before he steps out in 2025. The Chinese Grand Prix became a fan favorite and was highly praised by the fans. A lot of moments happened on the track including heartbreaking and moments that the sport would never forget.
WINNERS
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2004: Rubens Barrichello 2015: Lewis Hamilton
2005: Fernando Alonso 2016: Nico Rosberg
2006: Michael Schumacher 2017: Lewis Hamilton
2007: Kimi Räikkönen 2018: Daniel Ricciardo
2008: Lewis Hamilton 2019: Lewis Hamilton
2009: Sebastian Vettel 2024: Max Verstappen
2010: Jenson Button
2011: Lewis Hamilton
2012: Nico Rosberg
2013: Fernando Alonso
2014: Lewis Hamilton