The Begining
The country's first ever Formula One event, located in Shanghai, was hosted on September 26 2004.
Lap Distance 5.451km - Laps 56 - Race Distance 305.256km
Covering an area of 5.3 square kilometers and featuring 14 punishing turns -including seven left-hand and seven right-hand turns, which offers the drivers a tremendous challenge.
Latest News
The Chinese Grand Prix attracted 260,000 spectators in its inaugural year in 2004 with a slight 10,000 increase in 2005, but attendance has since declined with 155,000 attending in 2010. On Feb 18, 2011, Reuters reported words from the Chinese Grand Prix organizers said Shanghai has extended the deal to host the Chinese Grand Prix to 2018 despite falling attendance. Reuters reported words from Yiping Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau, suggested the situation can improve in the following years by lowering the ticket cost. Reuters reported prices for prime seats range would decrease from 3,580-3,980 yuan in 2010 to 1,980-3,280 yuan in 2011.[6] On the same day, AFP reported that the Shanghai City government will keep open a subway line to the race track to boost spectator numbers from April 15–17, 2011.[7]
The Feb 18, 2011 Reuters news also reported words from Wen Zhao, vice-mayor of Shanghai, suggested F1 is a calling card for Shanghai and she is confident that the success of the event in the years ahead.[6]
The Circuit
Released by the Circuit
The 5.451-kilometre racing track is shaped like the Chinese character "shang, " as in "Speeding with Shanghai, " according to the blueprint designed by the German firm Tilke Engineering & Architecture. The stadium has 50,000 fixed seats and can accommodate up to 200,000 people, about 1 percent of the population of greater Shanghai.
A lap around the Shanghai Circuit takes about 1 minute and 32 seconds with average speeds running close to 205 km/h, which makes the Shanghai International Circuit one of the longest lap raceways in the world.
The longest beeline section of track is designed between the 13th and the 14th turns. On this 1.2-kilometer-long raceway, cars travel at full speed, reaching maximums of 327 km/h. The Shanghai International Circuit provides spectators with great racing.
