Shanghai International Circuit Explained

The Shanghai International Circuit, also called the SAIC Shanghai International Circuit for sponsorship purposes, is a motorsport race track, situated in the Jiading District, Shanghai, China. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Chinese Grand Prix which was hosted from 2004 to 2019, and from 2024 onwards. Besides Chinese Grand Prix, the circuit also hosts Shanghai ePrix starting from 2024.

The Shanghai International Circuit features over 10 top-tier domestic car racing events annually. It also boasts Shanghai's only world-class outdoor go-karting track.

As a nationally recognized 4A-rated tourist attraction, the circuit features tourism, shopping, dining, entertainment, and sports.^[2]

The track was resurfaced ahead of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.^[3]

History

Shanghai International Circuit was conceived by the Shanghai authorities as a way to showcase the city to the world. A 5.3 sq km site was chosen in the Jiading District in the north west of the city, close to major car parts manufacturing facilities and a budget of 2.6 billion yuan ($450 million) raised through a government-funded joint-venture company, the Shanghai Jiushi Group.

Herman Tilke was chosen to design the track and associated buildings, and between April and May 2003, engineers visited the site to draw up their plans. The site was actually a swampland, previously used as rice paddy fields, and extensive groundworks had to be completed to construct the circuit. For 18 months some 3,000 workers were on site daily to complete the facility – a remarkable feat of both engineering and logistics.

When it opened, visitors found a vast complex, dominated by the main grandstand and pit complex, which featured wing-like viewing platforms crossing the circuit at either end. This can hold 30,000 spectators alone, and others around the circuit take the total capacity to 200,000. Paddock facilities were also unique – each of the F1 teams had its own building, arranged like pavilions in a lake to resemble the ancient Yu Garden in Shanghai.^[4]

The Shanghai International Circuit is the first in China to be purpose-built for Formula One and it hosts FIA Formula One World Championship Chinese Grand Prix every year since 2004.^[5] The circuit also held a number of global high-profile series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Asia.

In the past, the circuit has hosted the MotoGP world championship, and a one-off V8 Supercars China Round of the Australian-based V8 Supercar championship in 2005, and also the final round of the A1 Grand Prix in 2006/2007.

In 2011, the Shanghai International Circuit signed a sponsorship deal with Audi and was subsequently named the Shanghai Audi International Circuit and the SAIC International Circuit following a deal with SAIC Motor.

Layout

The track layout was inspired from the Chinese character, the first character in the name of the city Shanghai, meaning "above" or "ascend".^[6]

There's a unique start to the lap as the drivers fly into the ever-tightening Turns 1 and 2, before they dart left through 3 and 4. The super-high g force Turns 7 and 8 are loved by the drivers, while the circuit also features one of the longest straights on the calendar, the stretch that separates turns 13 and 14.^[7]

A lap in a Formula One car

The first two bends make a right-hand curve which leads immediately into turns 3 and 4 taken at . One and two are far more difficult – a lift on entry followed by various taps of the throttle and brakes are needed so the car maintains balance throughout. It also becomes blind towards the middle of the corner.^[8] Three and four are less complicated, with three being a simple hairpin, but a good exit is needed from four to gain speed down the following straight and through turn 5. The complex of turns 1–4 makes up the first of two "snails" on the circuit, the other being turns 11–13.^[9] Turn 6 is a second gear, right-handed hairpin with plentiful run-off. Turns 7 and 8 make up a high speed chicane – the left-right complex sees a constant G-force of 3^[8] and a minimum speed of about . Turns 9 and 10 immediately follow – two slow left-handers which require a good exit to gain speed down the next straight. Turns 11 and 12 effectively make up a slow left-right chicane where the use of kerbs are important but traction is low. Turn 13 is a very long right-hander which becomes less and less tight, and a very good exit is important as it leads onto a long straight where overtaking opportunities can arise. At, it is the equivalent to 11 football pitches laid end to end, or the same length as three and a half of the world's biggest aircraft carriers^[10] Turn 14 is a tight hairpin at the end of the straight – this second-gear corner is a prime overtaking spot, with drivers often making their move under heavy braking at the end of the long run. Turn 16 is the last corner – a fourth-gear^[8] left-hander which requires a quick tap on the brakes – braking early can be more effective as you can then carry more speed through the corner and then down the pit straight.

Events

Current

• • March: Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, F1 Academy, SRO GT Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia April: TCR China Touring Car Championship, TCR China Challenge, F4 Chinese Championship, China GT Championship
• June: GT World Challenge Asia, SRO GT Cup
• July: Formula E Shanghai ePrix
• September: Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, TCR China Touring Car Championship, TCR China Challenge, China GT Championship
• October: Shanghai 8 Hours

Former

• A1 Grand Prix (2006–2008)
  • • Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Shanghai (2014, 2018–2019)
• Aston Martin Asia Cup (2008–2009)
• Audi R8 LMS Cup (2012–2019)
• China Formula Grand Prix (2015–2019)
• F3 Asian Championship (2018–2019)
• Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2011–2019)
• FIA World Endurance Championship
  • 4 Hours of Shanghai (2012–2019)
• Formula BMW Pacific (2004–2008)
• Formula Masters Series (2011–2017)
• Formula Renault AsiaCup (2004–2011, 2013–2018)
• Formula V6 Asia (2008)
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing
  • Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix (2005–2008)
• GP2 Asia Series (2008)
• GT Asia Series (2014–2017)
• Superrace Championship (2014–2016)
• TCR Asia Series (2016–2019, 2021, 2025)
• TCR International Series (2015)
• Trofeo Maserati (2012–2014)
• V8 Supercars
  • V8 Supercars China Round (2005)
• World Touring Car Championship
  • FIA WTCC Race of China (2012–2016)

Lap records

The total length of the circuit is, which is about average for a Formula One circuit. Michael Schumacher's official race lap record of 1:32.238 has stood since 2004. In Q3 of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri qualified on pole position with a time of 1:30.641, a new unofficial track record.^[11] As of May 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Shanghai International Circuit are listed as:^[12]

Category	Record	Circuit length	Circuit layout	Driver/Rider	Vehicle	Date
Formula One	1:32:238			Michael Schumacher	Ferrari F2004	September 26, 2004
LMP1	1:45.892[13]	Sébastien Buemi	Toyota TS050 Hybrid 2017	November 5, 2017
GP2 Asia	1:46.407	Kamui Kobayashi	Dallara GP2/05	October 18, 2008
LMP2	1:51.793	Bruno Senna	Oreca 07 Gibson	November 5, 2017
A1 Grand Prix	1:52.508[14]	Alex Yoong	Lola A1GP	April 2, 2006
GT3	2:00.195[15]	Daniel Morad	Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo	September 15, 2024
LMP3	2:00.638[16]	Mathias Beche	Ligier JS P3	August 27, 2017
LM GTE	2:00.948[17]	Kévin Estre	Porsche 911 RSR-19	November 10, 2019
Formula Regional	2:01.440[18]	Daniel Cao	Tatuus F3 T-318	September 27, 2019
	2:02.994[19]			May 18, 2025
Formula 4	2:04.580[20]	Chloe Chambers	Tatuus F4-T421	March 22, 2025
	2:05.230[21]			May 18, 2025
Formula Renault 2.0	2:04.675[22]	Daniel Cao	Tatuus FR2.0/13	April 29, 2018
Porsche Carrera Cup	2:04.813[23]	Dylan Pereira	Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup	March 22, 2025
GT4	2:10.489[24]	Lu Wenlong	Lotus Emira GT4	March 23, 2025
	2:10.712[25]	Zhang Zhendong	Hyundai Elantra N TCR	April 26, 2025
Formula BMW	2:12.155[26]			Michael Patrizi	Mygale FB02	October 16, 2005
MotoGP	1:59.273			Valentino Rossi	Yamaha YZR-M1	May 4, 2008
250cc	2:05.738	Jorge Lorenzo	Aprilia RSW 250	May 6, 2007
125cc	2:12.131	Álvaro Bautista	Aprilia RS 125 R	May 14, 2006
A1 Grand Prix	1:35.177			Robert Wickens	Lola A1GP	April 13, 2008
Formula Renault 2.0	1:48.325[27]	Leopold Ringbom	Tatuus FR2000	October 23, 2011
TC1	1:50.833	Ma Qinghua	Citroën C-Elysée WTCC	October 12, 2014
V8 Supercars	1:51.0557[28]	Todd Kelly	Holden VZ Commodore	June 12, 2005
Super 2000	1:54.947	Alain Menu	Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T	November 4, 2012
	1:59.143[29]	Huang Chuhan	Audi RS 3 LMS TCR	August 5, 2017
	2:01.581[30]			November 23, 2008
	2:02.2892[31]	Siu Tit Lung	Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup	June 12, 2005
Formula E	1:10.564[32]			Nick Cassidy	Jaguar I-Type 7	May 31, 2025

External links

• Shanghai International Circuit at 51gt3.com
• Shanghai International Circuit | JUSSEVENT
• Shanghai International Circuit at Official Formula 1 website
• Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
• Ciro Pabón's Racetracks 3D views and virtual laps of all F1 circuits, including this one, via Google Earth
• Shanghai International Circuit on Google Maps (Current Formula 1 Tracks)

Notes and References

1. Web site: LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS UPDATED ON : 2025-11-03 . . 3 November 2025 . 3 November 2025 . December 30, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20251230175619/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/circuits_fia20251103.pdf . live .
2. Web site: Shanghai International Circuit . 2024-08-05 . english.shanghai.gov.cn.
3. Web site: Resurfaced track to bring challenges to Chinese Grand Prix . 2025-03-22 . GPblog.com . en. Jenny. Garnett.
4. Web site: Shanghai International Circuit. RacingCircuits.info. December 3, 2018. July 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230702080751/https://www.racingcircuits.info/asia/china/shanghai-international-circuit.html#.XATcfZUUnFs. live.
5. Web site: China. Formula1.com. December 3, 2018. June 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604193437/https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2018/China.html#circuit. live.
6. Web site: Chinese Grand Prix Preview. April 13, 2009. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. April 16, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090417005806/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2009/Pages/f1_preview_chn.aspx. April 17, 2009.
7. Web site: China. Formula1.com. December 3, 2018. June 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604193437/https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2018/China.html#circuit. live.
8. Web site: Shanghai International Circuit guide. F1 Fanatic. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031522/https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shanghai_2012.jpg. December 16, 2018. December 21, 2012.
9. Web site: RedBull.com. Circuit Guide: Shanghai International Circuit. Red Bull Motorsports. October 31, 2015. May 4, 2012. August 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818133353/http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/f1/stories/1331574499038/circuit-guide-shanghai-international-circuit. live.
10. Web site: Straight-line power – the engine in Shanghai. Formula1.com. December 21, 2012. July 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130708235517/http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2011/4/11939.html. dead.
11. Web site: Piastri edges out Russell and Norris for breakthrough maiden F1 pole during Chinese GP Qualifying . Formula 1.com . 22 March 2025 . 22 March 2025 . March 22, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250322102724/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/piastri-edges-out-russell-and-norris-for-breakthrough-maiden-f1-pole-during.xR2Ip80vTMdvSqqsqMIXT . live .
12. Web site: Shanghai Fastest Lap Comparison . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227212037/https://www.driverdb.com/circuits/fastestlaps/shanghai/ . 27 February 2023 . 4 June 2023 . dead.
13. Web site: 2017 FIA WEC 6 Hours of Shanghai - Race - Final Classification by Class . . 5 November 2017 . 27 July 2022 . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408112748/http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/07_2017/08_SHANGHAI%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/208_FIA%20WEC/201711051100_Race/Hour%206/05_ClassificationByClass_Race.PDF . live .
14. Web site: 2006 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai - Sprint Race - Classification . 2 April 2006 . 29 March 2025 . August 24, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250824044544/http://a1gp.alkamelsystems.com/Results/00_2005-06/10_SHANGHAI,%20CHINA/Shanghai,%20China.pdf . live .
15. Web site: 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS - Race 2 - Round 12 - Classification - Final . 15 September 2024 . 15 September 2024 . September 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915082406/https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=GTASIA/2024/243708rc2bga.pdf . live .
16. Web site: 2017 FRD LMP3 Series - Round 3 - Result of FRD LMP3 - Main Race . 27 August 2017 . 27 July 2022 . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408114332/https://resultscdn.getraceresults.com/2017/Asia/2017%20FRD%20LMP3%20SERIES%20-%20Round%203/FRD%20LMP3%20-%20Main%20Race.pdf . live .
17. Web site: 2019 FIA WEC 4 Hours of Shanghai - Race - Final Classification . . 13 February 2020 . 27 July 2022 . August 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220820112316/http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/09_2019-2020/03_SHANGHAI%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/01_FIA%20WEC/201911101200_Race/Hour%204/03_Classification_Race_Hour%204.PDF . live .
18. Web site: 2019 Asian Formula 3 Shanghai 2 (Race 1) . 27 September 2019 . 17 July 2022 . September 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914191633/https://www.racingyears.com/race/2019%2520Asian%2520Formula%25203%2520Shanghai%25202%2520(Race%25201) . live .
19. Web site: 2025 China GT Championship - Shanghai International Circuit - Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia - Final Result Race 2 . 18 May 2025 . 9 June 2025 . August 6, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250806233024/https://timingresult.com/events/184/results/18882/download . live .
20. Web site: 2025 Shanghai F1 Academy Race 1 Statistics . 22 March 2025 . 22 March 2025.
21. Web site: 2025 F4 China Championship Shanghai - Round 2 Final - Official Results . 18 May 2025 . 22 May 2025.
22. Web site: China Endurance Series 2018 - Round 1 - Asian Formula Renault - Official Classification of Race 1 . 29 April 2018 . 17 July 2022 . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207050729/https://resultscdn.getraceresults.com/2018/FRD%20LMP3/China%20Endurance%20Series%202018%20-%20Round%201/Asian%20Formula%20Renault%20-%20Race%201.pdf . live .
23. Web site: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2025 - Shanghai - Race 1 Official Classification . 22 March 2025 . 29 March 2025 . August 29, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250829002314/https://51gt3.com/en/article/100365/2025-porsche-carrera-cup-asia-shanghai-r01-r02-results . live .
24. Web site: SRO GT Cup - Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2025 - Shanghai - Race 2 Provisional Classification . 23 March 2025 . 23 March 2025 . July 1, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250701151210/https://www.gt-world-challenge-asia.com/images/Race%202%20Provisional%20Results.pdf . live .
25. Web site: TCR CN 2025 » Shanghai International Circuit GP Round 1 Results . 26 April 2025 . 27 April 2025 . August 24, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250824173139/https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=5320 . live .
26. Web site: Formula BMW 2005 - Round 14 - Shanghai - Race . 16 October 2005 . 27 July 2022 . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207050739/https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0002769EN/formula-bmw-round-14-shanghai-race . live .
27. Web site: 2011 Shanghai AFR Series Race #2 Official Result . https://web.archive.org/web/20220717070413/http://www.frdsports.com/data/download/1351065793.jpg . 23 October 2011 . 17 July 2022 . 17 July 2022 . dead.
28. Web site: 2005 Buick V8 Supercars China Round #2 . 12 June 2005 . 27 July 2022 . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207050731/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2005_Shanghai_Race_2/V8/ . live .
29. Web site: TCR CN 2017 » Shanghai International Circuit Round 1 Results . 5 August 2017 . 24 April 2022 . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207072323/https://www.touringcars.net/database/race.php?id=3107 . live .
30. Web site: 2008 Formula V6 Asia Shanghai (Race 2) . 23 November 2008 . 3 April 2025.
31. Web site: 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series - Round 5 - Shanghai International Circuit, China - Asia GT Challenge - Race 2 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914190651/http://racing.natsoft.com.au/641212746/object_75003.73C/Result?15 . racing.natsoft.com.au . 12 June 2005 . 14 September 2024 . 14 September 2024 . dead.
32. Web site: 2025 Shanghai ePrix Round 10 Race Results . 31 May 2025 . 31 May 2025 . August 24, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250824145447/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/results?season=4e287a6d-e2da-471a-9c8a-01141d6a1819&race=7f2234bd-2d1b-40c7-8257-bb60df0edf88&tab=race . live .