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Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix

As the dust settles on our season-opening race, the F1 world shifts its focus from Melbourne to Shanghai, where the highly anticipated Chinese Grand Prix is set to take place as Round 2 of the 2025 season.

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Chinese Grand Prix brings added excitement with the first Sprint race of the year in Formula One / Photo F1
Chinese Grand Prix brings added excitement with the first Sprint race of the year in Formula One / Photo F1

Chinese Grand Prix brings added excitement with the first Sprint race of the year in Formula One, demanding a unique approach to strategy and preparation. Here’s everything you need to know before the action begins.

 

An Earlier Start Than Ever

Recent adjustments to the F1 calendar have moved certain races to unexpected slots in the season. 

 

In 2024, fans saw the Japanese Grand Prix take place in April, Azerbaijan shift to September, and the China GP return at Round 5. 

 

However, 2025 brings a historic change—China will host its race in March for the very first time.

 

While this marks the earliest-ever slot for the Shanghai event, it isn’t the first time the China GP has been positioned as the second race of the season. 

 

In 2017, it followed the Australian Grand Prix, albeit in April rather than March. 

 

This calendar shake-up extends the F1 season further on both ends, meaning teams must adapt quickly to varying conditions earlier in the year.

In 2024, fans saw the Japanese Grand Prix take place in April, Azerbaijan shift to September, and the China GP return at Round 5 / Photo F1
In 2024, fans saw the Japanese Grand Prix take place in April, Azerbaijan shift to September, and the China GP return at Round 5 / Photo F1

The Shanghai Sprint Returns

F1 introduced the Sprint format to Shanghai in 2024, marking the first time the Chinese GP featured the short-distance showdown. 

 

The thrilling competition and the passionate Chinese fans left an impression, as the 100-kilometer dash is back in 2025.

 

The Sprint format means two key opportunities to secure points this weekend: Saturday’s Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix. 

 

Last year, Carlos Sainz earned four points by finishing P5 in the Sprint before repeating the result in the main race.

In 2017, it followed the Australian Grand Prix, albeit in April rather than March / Photo F1
In 2017, it followed the Australian Grand Prix, albeit in April rather than March / Photo F1

Lia Block Joins the Action

The 2025 Chinese GP will also mark a milestone for the F1 Academy, as it hosts its first-ever race in China. 

 

Lia Block, returning for her second season, will compete under the Atlassian Williams Racing banner, looking to build on the steady progress she made in 2024.

 

With the series expanding to 18 cars this year, the competition is fiercer than ever.

Overtaking Galore at Shanghai

The Shanghai International Circuit has long been known for its exciting on-track battles, and history suggests that this year’s Chinese GP will be no different. 

 

The most famous overtaking zone remains Turn 14, a sharp hairpin at the end of the circuit’s 1.170-kilometer back straight.

 

However, this isn’t the only hotspot for wheel-to-wheel racing. 

 

The Turn 1-2 complex allows for multiple racing lines, the Turn 6 braking zone rewards aggressive late braking, and the tight second sector even offers daring side-by-side overtakes.

 

It’s no surprise that Shanghai holds the record for the most overtakes in a dry F1 race, with the 2016 edition featuring an astonishing 161 passes. 

 

While this record was later surpassed in wet conditions at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, Shanghai remains one of the most action-packed circuits on the calendar.

The Shanghai International Circuit has long been known for its exciting on-track battles, and history suggests that this year’s Chinese GP will be no different / Photo F1
The Shanghai International Circuit has long been known for its exciting on-track battles, and history suggests that this year’s Chinese GP will be no different / Photo F1

China GP basic keys

  • Why is the 2025 Chinese GP historically significant? It marks the first time the Shanghai race is held in March, making it the earliest-ever China GP.
  • What makes the Shanghai International Circuit ideal for overtaking? The long back straight leading into Turn 14, multiple racing lines through Turn 1-2, and several other braking zones create numerous overtaking opportunities.
  • What challenge does the new track surface present? The resurfaced asphalt means teams have limited data on tire behavior, and with just one Free Practice session, adapting quickly will be crucial.
  • Why is the 2025 Sprint race significant? It marks the second consecutive year the Chinese GP hosts a Sprint, adding an extra layer of strategy and competition to the weekend.
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