Shanghai International Circuit facts for kids
Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present)
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| Location | Jiading, Shanghai, China |
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| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
| Coordinates | 31°20′20″N 121°13′11″E / 31.33889°N 121.21972°E |
| Capacity | 200,000 |
| FIA Grade | 1 (Grand Prix) 2 (International) 3E (West Long) |
| Owner |
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| Operator | Shanghai International Circuit Co., Ltd. |
| Broke ground | April 2003 |
| Opened | 6 June 2004 |
| Construction cost | ¥2.6 billion ($450 million, €370 million) |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| Major events | Current: Formula One Chinese Grand Prix (2004–2019, 2024–present) Formula E Shanghai ePrix (2024–present) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2004–2019, 2021, 2023–present) TCR Asia Series (2016–2019, 2021, 2025) Future: GT World Challenge Asia (2017–2019, 2024, 2026) Former: FIA WEC 4 Hours of Shanghai (2012–2019) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix (2005–2008) WTCC Race of China (2012–2016) Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Shanghai (2014, 2018–2019) A1 Grand Prix (2006–2008) V8 Supercars China round (2005) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present) | |
| Length | 5.451 km (3.388 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:32.238 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1) |
| Motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present) | |
| Length | 5.281 km (3.282 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:59.273 ( Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2008, MotoGP) |
| Intermediate Circuit (2004–present) | |
| Length | 4.603 km (2.858 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:35.177 ( Robert Wickens, Lola B05/52, 2008, A1GP) |
| West Long Circuit (2012–present) | |
| Length | 3.051 km (1.896 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:10.564 ( Nick Cassidy, Porsche 99X Electric, 2025, F-E) |
The Shanghai International Circuit is a famous motorsport race track in Shanghai, China. It is also known as the SAIC Shanghai International Circuit because of its sponsors. This circuit is well-known for hosting the yearly Chinese Grand Prix for Formula One races. It hosted these races from 2004 to 2019 and started again in 2024.
The circuit also hosts the Shanghai ePrix for Formula E cars, which began in 2024. Every year, more than 10 major car racing events take place here. It also has a world-class outdoor go-karting track, which is the only one in Shanghai.
Beyond racing, the Shanghai International Circuit is a popular place for tourists. It offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and sports activities. The track was updated and resurfaced before the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.
Contents
History of the Shanghai International Circuit
Building a World-Class Race Track
The city of Shanghai wanted to build a special place to show off its modern side to the world. So, they decided to create the Shanghai International Circuit. They chose a large area in the Jiading District, which was close to car parts factories.
The project cost a lot of money, about $450 million. This money came from a company supported by the government, called the Shanghai Jiushi Group.
Designing the Circuit
A famous architect named Hermann Tilke was chosen to design the race track and all its buildings. Engineers visited the site in 2003 to start planning. The area was originally a swampland with rice fields. This meant a lot of work was needed to prepare the ground for building.
About 3,000 workers were on site every day for 18 months. They worked incredibly hard to finish the circuit quickly. It was an amazing achievement in engineering and planning.
What the Circuit Looks Like
When the circuit opened, it was a huge complex. The main grandstand and pit area were very impressive. They had special wing-shaped viewing platforms that crossed over the track. This main area alone could hold 30,000 fans. Other stands around the circuit brought the total seating to 200,000 people.
The areas where the F1 teams prepared their cars were also unique. Each team had its own building, arranged like small houses in a lake. This design was inspired by the ancient Yu Garden in Shanghai.
Major Races and Events
The Shanghai International Circuit was the first track in China built specifically for Formula One races. It has hosted the Chinese Grand Prix every year since 2004, except for a few years. The circuit has also hosted other big international races, like the FIA World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Asia.
In the past, it also hosted the MotoGP world championship for motorcycles. Other events included a V8 Supercars China Round in 2005 and the final race of the A1 Grand Prix series in 2006/2007.
In 2011, the circuit made a deal with Audi and was called the Shanghai Audi International Circuit. Later, it also partnered with SAIC Motor and was known as the SAIC International Circuit.
Circuit Layout and Design
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The design of the track is very special. It was inspired by the Chinese character "shang" (上). This character is the first part of the city's name, Shanghai, and it means "above" or "to ascend."
The lap starts with a unique set of turns, 1 and 2, which get tighter and tighter. Then, drivers quickly turn left through turns 3 and 4. Turns 7 and 8 are known for their high G-force, which drivers really enjoy.
The circuit also has one of the longest straight sections in racing. This straight is about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) long and connects turns 13 and 14. It's a great place for cars to reach top speeds!
What it's like to drive a Formula One car here
Imagine you are a Formula One driver starting a lap. The first few turns, 1 to 4, are tricky. You have to slow down and speed up carefully to keep the car balanced. Turns 1 and 2 form a long, curving right turn that gets tighter. Turns 3 and 4 are a quick left-right combination.
After a few more turns, you reach the very long straight between turns 13 and 14. This is where drivers can use their DRS to go even faster. At the end of this straight is turn 14, a sharp hairpin turn. This is often a good spot for drivers to try and overtake each other.
The final corner, turn 16, is a fast left turn. Drivers tap the brakes quickly here to carry as much speed as possible onto the main straight. This helps them get a good start for the next lap.
Events Held at the Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit hosts many exciting races.
- Current Events
- March: Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, F1 Academy, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, SRO GT Cup
- April: TCR Asia Series, TCR China Touring Car Championship, China Touring Car Championship
- May: Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, F4 Chinese Championship
- June: Formula E Shanghai ePrix
- Future Events
- GT World Challenge Asia (The next race is planned for 2026)
- Past Events
- A1 Grand Prix (2006–2008)
- Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Shanghai (2014, 2018–2019)
- FIA World Endurance Championship 4 Hours of Shanghai (2012–2019)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix (2005–2008)
- V8 Supercars V8 Supercars China Round (2005)
- World Touring Car Championship FIA WTCC Race of China (2012–2016)
Fastest Lap Records
The Shanghai International Circuit is 5.451 kilometers (3.388 miles) long. This is a typical length for a Formula One track. The fastest official race lap record for Formula One was set by Michael Schumacher in 2004, with a time of 1 minute, 32.238 seconds.
In 2025, during the qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri set an unofficial track record of 1 minute, 30.641 seconds.
Here are some of the fastest official race lap records at the circuit:
- Formula One: 1:32.238 by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari F2004 (2004)
- LMP1 (Sports Prototype): 1:45.892 by Sébastien Buemi in a Toyota TS050 Hybrid (2017)
- MotoGP (Motorcycle): 1:59.273 by Valentino Rossi in a Yamaha YZR-M1 (2008)
- GT3 (Sports Car): 2:00.195 by Daniel Morad in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo (2024)
- Formula E: 1:10.564 by Nick Cassidy in a Jaguar I-Type 7 (2025, on a shorter circuit layout)
Images for kids
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Exterior of main grandstand
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Main grandstand
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View from the main grandstand
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Covered grandstand H & K
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Grandstand H & K
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Pit
See also
In Spanish: Circuito Internacional de Shanghái para niños
