F1 Chinese Grand Prix: Shanghai International Circuit Track Guide

The Shanghai International Circuit hosts the second weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season and the first sprint event of the year at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Mercedes and George Russell enter off the back of a dominant performance in Australia, where the Briton took the championship lead for the first time in his career ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Ferrari at least kept the Silver Arrows honest early in the race before falling back to third and fourth, albeit some way ahead of McLaren and Red Bull.

But before racing gets underway this weekend, here is everything you need to know about the Shanghai International Circuit.

IT'S RACE WEEK AGAIN! 💪

We'll be racing in Shanghai, China for our first #F1Sprint weekend of the season 🤩#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/hAihvUB0fx
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 9, 2026

Chinese Grand Prix Location

Location: Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China

Shanghai International Circuit History in F1

First race: 2004

Years held: 2004-2019, 2024-present

Number of races: 18

Shanghai International Circuit - corner by corner

Turns 1/2 - A long, winding, tightening double right-hander to test car grip and driver patience.

Turns 3/4 - A double left-hander as the circuit opens up, traction is key here.

Turn 5 - A kink to the right before the track plunges downhill.

Turn 6 - An overtaking opportunity on the brakes for this tight right-hander, which winds back up hill on exit.

Turns 7/8 - A blind entry to this sweeping left-hander that is followed immediately by a tough mid-speed right-hander.

Turns 9/10 - Immediately on the brakes for this technical double left-hander at the end of the middle sector. Traction is key for a short straight that follows.

Turns 11/12 - More technical turns to get through here: a tight left-hander that leads into a right.

Turn 13 - A long, sweeping right on power that leads cars onto the long back straight. Traction is crucial to either attack or defend.

Turns 14/15 - The heaviest braking zone on the circuit and the best overtaking chance. An acute hairpin, with T15 unnoticed as a kink on the extension of the exit.

Turn 16 - Tougher than it first appears, a dab of the brakes before slinging the car to the left, being careful of spinning when on the exit kerb. That completes a lap.

Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai International Circuit facts

Most wins by a driver

Lewis Hamilton - 6 wins

Fernando Alonso - 2 wins

Nico Rosberg - 2 wins

Most wins by a team

Mercedes - 6 wins

Ferrari - 4 wins

McLaren - 4 wins

Red Bull - 3 wins

Last 10 winners

2025 - Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2024 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2019 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2018 - Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

2017 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2016 - Nico Rosberg, Mercedes

2015 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2014 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2013 - Fernando Alonso, Ferrari

2012 - Nico Rosberg, Mercedes

Chinese Grand Prix lap record

Incredibly, the fastest recorded lap in a race in China was set all the way back at the first race in 2004, where Michael Schumacher set a 1:32.238s for Ferrari, though it was teammate Rubens Barrichello who emerged with victory.

The outright fastest lap was set in qualifying in 2025 as McLaren's Oscar Piastri posted a 1:30.641s pole time.