How to get the most out of your trackside experience at Shanghai International Circuit for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025
- The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix takes place on March 21-23
- Tickets are expected to go on sale soon via our supplier
- Paddock Club Packages are now on sale via F1 Experiences
- Join our closed Facebook group for fans attending the Chinese Grand Prix
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
Shanghai’s circuit is an impressive facility, capable of accommodating around 200,000 fans. The 2019 Chinese Grand Prix made history as the 1000th Formula 1 race since the advent of the modern World Championship in 1950 and was a sell out for the first time since the inaugural race in 2004. Learn more about the trackside experience in China: 2019 Chinese Grand Prix Trip Report
China finally returned to the F1 calendar in 2024 after a five year absence. Tickets sold out very quickly to mainly Chinese buyers, though the race did not run at anywhere near the circuit’s capacity of up to 200,000 fans per day. It’s expected that tickets will soon go on sale for 2025, and that more tickets will be made available to international buyers.
It’s already been confirmed that F1’s sprint format will return at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
Shanghai Circuit: Access & Orientation
For more information on getting to the track, read the Getting There & Around section of this guide. If you have taken the metro to the circuit as we recommend, getting inside the circuit after you have alighted at the Shanghai Circuit metro stop is easy and the way is well signposted. The closest entrance is through Gate 1, behind the main grandstand. Gate 11 (behind grandstand K) is also just a few minutes walk from the metro station.
Need to Know: Shanghai International Circuit
- Check Weather Forecast: Rain is common in Shanghai on race weekend. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast and be prepared before heading to the track, even if you have seats in one of the covered grandstands
- Entry Restrictions (Prohibited Items): In the past, there has been no restrictions on bringing in folding chairs (usefulย for general admission). Food and drinks in plastic bottles were also allowed , but alcohol was prohibited. Entry restrictions are TBC for 2025.
- Track Invasion: Fans have not been allowed on to the track after recent editions of the Chinese GP. If you don’t want to miss the podium celebrations after the race, you will need to have a seat in the Main grandstand.
- Taking the Metro: The metro can get very congested, particularly when leaving the circuit on Sunday after the race. Be patient or stay a little longer to avoid the peak crowds.
2025 Chinese Grand Prix Schedule
- On-Track Schedule: The full on-track timetable for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will not be confirmed until around 4-6 weeks before race weekend. The 2024 schedule is listed below for information purposes
- Sprint Race: Shanghai Circuit will host the first of six F1 Sprint events in 2025
- Support Categories: Support categories haven’t been announced yet for 2025. (In 2024, support categories were the FIA F4 Chinese Championship and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.)
- Concerts: A number of trackside concerts took place at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix as part of the ‘Checkered Flag Music Carnival.’ The biggest name on the line-up was Martin Garrix, who headlined after qualifying on Saturday. Separate tickets were required for the music festival.
- Pit Lane Walk: Recent editions of the Chinese Grand Prix have not featured a pit lane walk on Thursday for regular ticket holders. F1 Experiences may organize a Thursday pit lane walk for selected guests in 2025 (TBC). Guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in daily pit lane walks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday
- 09:25-09:50: FIA F4 Chinese Championship – First Practice Session
- 10:00-11:00: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 11:30-12:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1
- 13:00-13:45: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – Practice Session
- 13:55-14:35: Pirelli Hot Laps
- 14:00-15:05: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 15:30-16:14: Formula 1 – Sprint Qualifying
- 17:00-17:25: FIA F4 Chinese Championship – Second Practice Session
- 17:45-19:45: F1 Experiences – Track Tour, Trophy Photo & Pit Lane Walk
Saturday
- 09:30-09:55: FIA F4 Chinese Championship – Qualifying Session
- 11:00-11:30: Formula 1 – Sprint Race (19 laps or 60 minutes)
- 11:40-12:40: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 12:10-12:35: Pirelli Hot Laps
- 12:50-13:20: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – Qualifying Session
- 13:55-14:30: FIA F4 Chinese Championship – First Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)
- 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
- 16:55-17:30: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – First Race (12 laps or 30 minutes)
- 17:40-18:40: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
Sunday
- 10:15-10:50: FIA F4 Chinese Championship – Second Race (30 minutes + 1 lap)
- 11:30-12:05: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – Second Race (12 laps or 30 minutes)
- 12:20-12:50: Pirelli Hot Laps
- 12:55-13:55: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 13:00-13:30: Formula 1 – Drivers’ Parade
- 13:35-13:50: Opening Show
- 14:46-14:48: National Anthem
- 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2024 (56 laps or 2 hours)
Shanghai Circuit Facilities
The trackside facilities are generally good. Food and drink is not expensive by F1 standards, but still feels overpriced in such a cheap F1 destination (especially alcohol.) Fans have complained about both the lack of choice and the fact that there are just not enough places to buy food and drink. This lack of choice also applies to merchandise; there is a limited offer in China.
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Hi
The driver Meeting on Thursday is NOT for three days ticket holders…only 200 dedicated winners got the oppurtunity to get in with this Special ticket. Very strict controls :/
No acces to f1 village or eben Main grandstand to watch into the pits…
The pitwalk was also not for Public….China sucks!!
Thank you for all the great information and helpful tips, Andrew! This will be my first GP in Shanghai and I am very excited! I do not know why Andy, who left the comments a year ago is so upset. I paid a lot of money for a 3-day Grand stand ticket and other extras, like pit lane walk, drive around the track, etc. I would not be happy if all this was available for free on Friday to any ticket holder. F1 is expensive, this is why this is my only second live race, because I want to get a prime experience, so I pay more for a better ticket.
Hi Andy, do you know if cameras are allowed in the circuit and also if there is any pit walks over the weekend?
You should be fine with your camera, but the lens shouldn’t be larger than 400mm – just in case. There is an Autograph session on Thursday afternoon from 16:00-17:00 – this normally takes place on the Main Straight, rather than the Pit Lane.
I saw on several (Chinese) ticket vendor sites that a separate ticket is needed for the thursday autograph session. And not accessible with a regular 3-day Grandstand ticket. Is that correct? The ticket (just for the thursday autograph session was in access of $440…โฆ)
Let me try and find out more about the autograph session. It’s generally held on the track in front of the pits on Thursday afternoon, but I don’t know how to get access. Definitely don’t buy that ticket for $440!
Any idea what bag search policies are? We are taking a baby and need food and stuff for him.
Not too sure, sorry Andrew. Though I can’t imagine they will not let you take in baby supplies. Good luck