When is the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix and how can I watch it?

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - APRIL 20: Zhou Guanyu of China driving the (24) Kick Sauber C44 Ferrari leads

Round 2 of this year’s F1 season, the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend – featuring the first F1 Sprint of the campaign – takes place between March 21–23.

Officially the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2025, the 56-lap Grand Prix starts at 15:00 local time (UTC+8) on Sunday, March 23, at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai. The season’s first F1 Sprint takes place the day before on Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 local time.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1 – Drivers, teams, cars, circuits and more

Built ahead of the 2004 season, the 5.4km circuit’s pleasing form when seen from the air – it’s designed to look like the Chinese symbol for ‘shang’, meaning upwards – is equally pleasing to the drivers on the ground.

There’s a unique start to the lap as the cars 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 1.2km stretch that separates Turns 13-14.

Race Highlights: 2024 Chinese Grand Prix

When the event timetable is released, it will appear below and cover the full weekend track schedule, including details of the F1 Sprint, all practice and qualifying sessions, support races, and other special events – plus, of course, that crucial Chinese Grand Prix start time.

The F1 session times can also be found in the Chinese Grand Prix Race Hub, where you can choose between local time and your own time zone.

All times listed below are local. Shanghai is UTC+8 during the event. Timetable subject to change.

FRIDAY 21 MARCHLocal time
SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT CupFirst Practice Session08:20 - 08:45
F1 AcademyPractice Session09:10 - 09:50
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Track Tour10:00 - 11:00
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Pit Lane Walk10:00 - 11:00
FIAF1 Car Presentation10:00 - 11:00
FORMULA 1FIRST PRACTICE SESSION11:30 - 12:30
Porsche Carrera Cup AsiaPractice Session12:55 - 13:40
Formula 1Teams' Press Conference13:30 - 14:30
F1 AcademyQualifying Session14:05 - 14:35
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Track Tour14:40 - 15:10
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Pit Lane Walk14:40 - 15:10
FORMULA 1SPRINT QUALIFYING15:30 - 16:14
SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT CupSecond Practice Session17:00 - 17:25
F1 ExperiencesF1 Experiences Track Tour, Trophy Photo & Pit Lane Walk17:45 - 19:15

SATURDAY 22 MARCH
SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT CupQualifying Session08:15 - 08:40
Porsche Carrera Cup AsiaQualifying Session09:10 - 09:40
FORMULA 1SPRINT (19 Laps or 60 Mins)11:00 - 11:30
Formula 1Press Conference11:30 - 12:00
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Pit Lane Walk11:40 - 12:10
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Track Tour11:40 - 12:10
SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT CupFirst Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)12:30 - 13:05
F1 AcademyFirst Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap)13:50 - 14:25
FORMULA 1QUALIFYING15:00 - 16:00
Formula 1Press Conference16:00 - 17:00
Porsche Carrera Cup AsiaFirst Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins)16:55 - 17:30
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Track Tour17:40 - 18:40
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Pit Lane Walk17:40 - 18:40

SUNDAY 23 MARCH
SRO GT Cup - Greater Bay Area GT CupSecond Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)09:20 - 09:55
F1 AcademySecond Race (13 Laps, Max 30 Mins +1 Lap)10:45 - 11:20
Porsche Carrera Cup AsiaSecond Race (13 Laps or 30 Mins)12:00 - 12:35
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Track Tour12:55 - 13:35
Paddock ClubPaddock Club Pit Lane Walk13:00 - 13:55
Formula 1Drivers' Parade13:00 - 13:30
Promoter ActivityOpening Show13:35 - 13:50
Formula 1National Anthem14:44 - 14:46
FORMULA 1GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS)15:00 - 17:00
SHANGHAI, CHINA - APRIL 20: Top three sprint trophies presented after the Sprint ahead of the F1

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will be the first F1 Sprint weekend of the season

How can I watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix?

Nothing beats being there in person. It’s the closest you can get to Formula 1!

Shanghai has expanded into one of the world’s most dynamic and lively cities since the start of the millennium, making it an awesome F1 tourist stop. The sprawling Pudong district is chock full of hip bars and amazing restaurants. Then, when it’s time to go racing, just hop on the Shanghai Metro’s Line 11 and get off at the Shanghai Circuit stop 60 minutes later.

Wherever you’re watching from, details of the broadcaster in your area can be found here.

You can also watch the Chinese Grand Prix via F1 TV Pro (in selected countries only).

To view the full 2025 F1 calendar, click here.

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