1. What is it?
The ‘crown jewel of motorsport’, Formula One is the sport with all that high-octane car racing. The Chinese Grand Prix is one of the 20 races that make up the Formula One World Championship. First held in 2004, the 2017 race will be the 14th time Shanghai has hosted a Grand Prix.
2. Where is it?
The race takes place at Shanghai International Circuit out in Jiading district, which was opened in 2004 in order to host Shanghai’s inaugural Grand Prix. It cost approximately 1.65 billion RMB to build and was the world’s most expensive track until the Abu Dhabi circuit was opened in 2009. The track is 5.451km long and features 16 turns, including an incredibly tricky corner combination at turn one and two that is deemed one of the most demanding on the F1 calendar (repeat this fact as often as possible to as many people who will listen).
3. When is it?
The Chinese Grand Prix is the second race of the 2017 World Championship, following the season-opener in Melbourne. Last year it was the third race on the calendar but for 2017 it has swapped positions with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race will take place on Sunday 9, with qualifying to decide grid position scheduled to be held on the Saturday before and practice sessions on the Friday. All three days are open to tickets holders.
4. Who’s in it?
All of the drivers! There are ten teams and 20 drivers expected to compete in the 2017 Formula One World Championship. With 2016 champion Nico Rosberg having retired, 2015 champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) of Great Britain will be this year’s favourite. Hamilton has won the Chinese Grand Prix a record four times, topping the podium in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015. Other drivers worth keeping an eye on are Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and 19-year- old Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull).
The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix takes place at The Shanghai International Circuit at 2000 Yining Lu on April 9. Long press and extract the QR code below to buy tickets.
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