Formula-1. What to wait for the China Grand Prix: Announcement and the Shanghai Race Forecast | Formula 1

The fans of the vehicle did not have time to move away from the Australian Grand Prix, as on the horizon, the second stage of formula-1 is fluttering.

One of the largest cities in China, Shanghai, is ready to accept the « Queen of Motor Sports » and all its fans, and we will try to understand what the second Grand Prix of Formula-1 2025 will be.

Historical reference

The Chinese government tried to bring the Formula 1 to the « Celestial » long before the debut of « International Shanhai International Motor » in F-1. Back in the early 1990s, talking about a possible stage in China was discussed, but even after opening the route in Zhuhaya, it was not possible to conduct on it due to mismatch to FIA standards.

The first Grand Prix of China appeared on the F-1 calendar only in 2004, and its racer Ferrari Rubens Barrikello won, and the following year, Shanghai closed the Formula-1 season. And what season is the first victory of Fernando Alonso in the personal standings and Renault triumph in the designers.

It happened in China and the last victory of Michael Schumacher. It is at the « International Shanhai Motor » that the legendary pilot Ferrari won 91 victory, which will not soon be backed by a newcomer Skuderia Lewis Hamilton.

Although discussions on the possible cancellation of the race in the Middle Kingdom have been taking place over the following years, in 2011, the formula-1 management managed to agree with the motorway on the continuation of the contract and maintaining the stage in China in the F-1 calendar. Later, the Grand Prix of China will accept the 1000th stage of formula-1.

Since then, the races in Shanghai were carried out invariably to the flight in the history of 2020, when the Codiv-19 pandemic began. Considering that it was from China that a terrible illness had gone, this Asian stage was not carried out for four seasons. Last year, the Formula-1 returned to the Middle Kingdom and ready to accept riders, teams and fans at the Shanghai International Highway.

The configuration of the route

In April 2003, the swampy area in Shadin in Shanghai was allocated for the construction of Formula-1. Eighteen months later and about $ 450 million, the construction of a state -of -the -art Shanghai International Highway was completed.

The shape of a bird's eye view is reminiscent of a Chinese Shan symbol, which means « up ». The route consists of 16 turns, especially stands out the first connection of turns after the start-up line, speed turns 7-8, as well as the exit from the 13 turn, which removes one of the longest straight lines in the season-a area of ​​1.2 km, which leads to a slow rotation of 14.

China Grand Prix Configuration

F-1

The total length of the route is 5.451 km, and 56 circles form a total distance of the race of 305.066 km. The record circle in China still belongs to the legendary Michael Schumacher – 1: 32,238, which he installed in 2004.

Records of the Shanghai Highway

As we wrote above, it is Schumacher who owns the record of the fastest circle in China, but in general, Ferrari in the Middle Kingdom is far from the most successful team, and Schumacher did not have time to set some records here.

In China, Mercedes and their multiple champion Lewis Hamilton have dominated China for the last 20 years. Having won two victories in McLaren, the British won the race 6 times in Shanghai, twice more than Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg.

The latter won his victories in China as a part of « silver arrows ». In general, the German designer triumphed six times in the Middle Kingdom, last in 2019.

Four victories have Ferrari, although the latter was back in 2013, when Skuderia was the same Alonso. Hamilton may be able to interrupt this unpleasant series for the Italian team.

Three more won races in China recorded McLaren and Red Bull on their account. And for the British this season is a great opportunity to win in Shanghai for the first time since 2011.

« Bulls » is at the same time the current winner of the stage, the 4-time World Champion Max Ferstapppen has confidently won the check-in, ahead of 13 seconds of Lando Norris, with whom he will fight again on the track in Shanghai.

Favorites and intrigues of China Grand Prix

It is obvious that the favorite of the stage will be the leader of the Cup of Designers McLaren, who will combine Max Ferstapppen. Last season, the British team showed that the British team showed that the Bull in Shanghai. 13 seconds were divided by Ferstappen and Norris in 2024, and this year McLaren not only became closer to « bulls », « Orange » became faster.

Of course, other teams cannot be rejected from the fight, the Lecler spoke of the unveiled potential of Ferrari, Mercedes showed stability in Australia, but we all understand who will play the greatest points if the force majeure does not happen.

And unpredictable situations can happen. We do not forget that there are still 5 newcomers and Liam Louson in the pelton, who spends his first full season, as the formula-1 racer and also in Red Bull, where he has incredible pressure.

Another question of China is the pace of Williams and Raying Bulz. Australia's Grand Prix was a pleasant surprise or would set a trend on powerful middle-ages, at least at the beginning of the season? We will find out very soon, and given the format of the stage in China, you will not have to wait for Sunday!

Did you know what the first Grand Prix of the season with a sprint was waiting for us? More about the features of a weekend with sprint you can read HERE.

So, on Friday, the first qualification is expected to us, although the sprint, and on Saturday at 5 am, the riders will hold the first, though not a complete race, where we can see the demo version of the struggle between Mclarene and Ferstapppen, between the Lecler, Hamilton and Ferrara, between the middle-ages and the outsiders.

Tires, strategies and weather in China

Pirelli provided one of the most rigid rubber configurations at the Shanghai stage – C2, C3, C4. This means that we will most likely expect the repetition of this year's strategies with one pit stop. In 2024, the most popular choice of pilots was the start on the Medium and the change to hard in about 9-13 circles.

The weather in China does not give reason to think that the situation from the Grand Prix of Australia, where the main driver of interesting events was the mother nature, not the direct action of pilots on the track.

Sunny weather will allow the fans of formula-1 to enjoy directly on the road, and the riders to demonstrate all their scilles in optimal conditions.

Previ Grand Prix China from Pirelli

Pirelli

« An important factor to consider this weekend will be the temperature. Shanghai for the first time takes the Grand Prix in March, when the average temperature rarely exceeds 18 ° C. Although the forecast, starting from Friday, it will rise above 20 ° C, and on Saturday it will reach a maximum of 26 ° C. The third week of April,  » – said in a message from Pirelli.

Bookmakers believe in Mclaren

Oddly enough, the opinions of bookmakers on the Grand Prix of China were divided. There is only one thing unambiguous – McLaren's favorites. On the victory of Lando Norris can be put at a coefficient of about 2, in the British partner Oscar Pastri believes less – 3.5.

But the third force in different offices is different. Some experts believe that Max Ferstappepen will again fight « orange » and others prefer … Charles Lecler and Lewis Hamilton.

George Russell with Kimi Antonelli can also find themselves in the leadership group, but in their place, bookmakers believe much less.

Champion forecast

There is very little prerequisites for sensations, so we will put on the fight between two pilots in orange overalls. Last time, we believed in the Oscar Pastri's home victory and the Australian was really fast, demonstrating a wonderful racing pace.

Therefore, we will again put on the young rider McLaren, who will win the first victory in 2025.

Where to look

The direct broadcasting of the sprint, both qualifications and directly the China Grand Prix races in Ukraine will show Setanta Sports Ukraine+ and OTT platform Setanta Sports.