Formula 1 marks the returned of the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix after 5-long years of absence due to COVID-19 since 2019. While celebrating its 20th anniversary of the first Chinese Grand Prix held at Shanghai International Circuit in 2004. It will also mark the first sprint race of the season. Two years ago the track turned out to be the hospital facility for the COVID-19 patients and now it returned to deliver some classical race weekends.
It is rigorous to believe that it has been 5-years since the F1 race in China and the last time Lewis Hamilton won the race with Valtteri Bottas positioned second. Once the recovery facility for COVID patients is ready to shackle the F1 adrenaline rush. Here is everything you need to know about the Shanghai International Circuit and its long-curated history.
History Of Shanghai International Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit was structured by the leaders of the Shanghai authorities. It was built to host various racing events to be held in China and to showcase the Chinese power and intellectual venture over world motorsport racing. The first Chinese Grand Prix was held in 2004 at Shanghai International Circuit. This circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke who also designed one of the infamous tracks in China known as the Macau GP. The management and the corporation had signed a seven-year deal with FIA to host Formula 1 races at Shanghai International Circuit from 2004 to 2011.
First Race | 2004 |
Track Length | 5.451 km |
Total Turns | 16 |
Total Laps | 56 |
Most Pole Position | Lewis Hamilton (6) |
Most Chinese GP Wins | Lewis Hamilton (6) |
The first Chinese GP was held in 2004 and was won by Ruben Barrichello in Ferrari. The next year the nation hosted the last race of the 2005 Formula 1 World Championship won by world champion Fernando Alonso. The Red Baron Michael Schumacher also touched the taste of his last victory in F1 at the Chinese GP in 2006. The track is mainly structured on vast wetlands that sometimes need to be taken care of during the rainy season. With the arrival of the French Grand Prix, the Chinese GP contract extension was put on hold and the venture for hosting the F1 races was also decreased further.
In 2010 new deal was made with the track corporation and the FIA to host the F1 races in 2011 and beyond. But no further prior notices were provided by the officials and races started to be seen as a closed citation. Formula 1 Boss, Bernie Ecclestone decided to revert the contract to the track administration and signed a new deal to host races till 2020. In 2019 China hosted one of the most prestigious moments in Formula 1 history by hosting the 1000th F1 race in the FIA World Formula 1 championship.
Stats Of The Shanghai International Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit is inspired by the Chinese numerology symbol. The track outlet is designed in such as way that it resembles the word Shang which is one of the first characters named after the city of Shanghai. It featured medium to slow-speed corners with straight moving through the grandstand. In this sector, the car could drive for almost 1.4 km in just 1.6 seconds. The track has 16 turns with 2 DRS detection zones.
The circuit when looked at from the air looks like a shang symbol. This symbol is one of the heritage symbols that represents cultural deity and motivation towards China. The track is about 5.5451 km consists of 56 laps and is distinguished into 3 different sectors. The most prominent feature of the track is the chicane that turns over 270 degrees before entering turn 3. Moreover, the track also has one of the longest straights in the calendar covering a distance of about 1.2 km.
Records Made At The Shanghai International Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit has acquainted itself with a couple of records in the history of Formula 1.
Lap Record: This prestigious record is held by Michael Schumacher to date. In 2004, Schumacher covers the blistering time of 1:32:328 while driving for Ferrari.
Fastest Lap: This record was achieved by Sebastian Vettel in 2018. He tackled up the time for about 1:31:095 in qualifying racing for Ferrari.
Most Successive Wins: Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese GP at the Shanghai International Circuit six times. (2008, 2011, 2014-15, 2017, 2019)
