ChineseGrand Prix

Much like most of the circuits on the calendar, the Shanghai International Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. The design is iconic on the calendar and so easily recognisable, with its configuration being loosely based on the Chinese symbol “shang”, which translates to “up above”.

For the 16 corners, there are a mix of high-speed sections like the esses which can be found between Turns 7 and 8 and provide very-high G-Force, as well as lots of slower turns for a challenging lap. Track evolution is very high, but this is also a circuit where the drivers will experience high tyre-stress as a result of the tough asphalt abrasion around the 5.451km of track.

It’s going to be a big weekend for strategy too. We have been away from this track for several years, and the Sprint format will significantly limit our chance to get data with only one practice session.

We have also seen a completely different set of rules and regulations applied to these cars since we last visited in 2019, with F1 introducing a new era of the pinnacle of motorsport in 2022.

In fact, tyre supplier Pirelli referenced this 2024 Chinese Grand Prix as “much a matter of starting from scratch”.