China Circuit Guide

The Shanghai International Circuit opened in 2004 and has held a Formula One Grand Prix every year since.

The Shanghai International Circuit opened in 2004 and has held a Formula One Grand Prix every year since. It is another Hermann Tilke-designed circuit and similarities can be seen between it and the Sepang track in Malaysia, with long, high-speed corners and long straights leading into hairpins. The track is shaped like the Chinese character 'shang' - which translates as 'high' or 'above' - and is a mix of medium- and low-speed corners, punctuated by two long straights. Turns one and two are virtually the same corner and provide a very difficult start to the lap. The turn is a long, 270-degree right-hander which requires a strong front end to prevent under-steer mid-corner, but also a strong rear as the first part requires a quick entry speed. Another long right-hander, classed as two corners at turns 12 and 13, leads on to a long straight (1,170m). The straight is the designated DRS zone and is followed by very tight hairpin which has seen many late lunges since 2004. Whilst the track runs in a clockwise direction, there are and seven left-hand and seven right-hand bends which place enormous emphasis on the car's aerodynamics and the driver's stamina and concentration.