Shanghai International Circuit

What is a lap of Shanghai International Circuit like?

Designed by Hermann Tilke, the layout was inspired by the Chinese character 'shang' (上), the first character of Shanghai's name; the circuit was built on marshland in the Jiading district. The lap is defined by two 'snails': the long, tightening Turn 1-2 right-hander that unwinds into the Turn 3-4 lefts, and the Turn 11-13 complex, which ends in a long right-hander that opens onto the 1.17 km back straight. The back straight ends in the Turn 14 hairpin, the biggest braking zone and the best overtaking spot; the long corners make the circuit hard on the front-left tyre. Michael Schumacher's race lap record of 1m 32.238s, set in 2004, had stood for more than two decades by 2026; the whole track was resurfaced before the 2025 race.

Lap length

5.451 km

Turns

16

Direction

clockwise

Downforce

High

Longest straight

1,170 m

Elevation change

7.4 m

DRS zones (to 2025)

2

Character

Balanced (about 41% of the lap is cornering)

Layout described

Grand Prix layout (5.451 km, 16 turns), unchanged since it opened in 2004; used for the Chinese Grand Prix 2004-2019 and 2024-2026

Map, character and grey values are approximate (measured from a GPS trace). Report a correction.

Does pole position win at Shanghai International Circuit?

The pole sitter has won 12 of 19 races here (63%). Across all circuits since 1950 the pole sitter wins 44% of races. The winner started from the front row (P1 or P2) in 14 of 19 races (74%) and from the top three in 16 (84%). Lowest grid position to win: 6th, Michael Schumacher in 2006.

Where the winner started, every race at this circuit. Pole sitter means the driver who set the fastest qualifying time (first on the grid where no qualifying data exists); a grid penalty can move the pole sitter back, and that race still counts for them. Compare every circuit.

How are races at Shanghai International Circuit won?

Since 2010

13 races; winners made 1 stop in 2, 2 stops in 8, 3 or more in 3; first stop at a median lap 14 (25% of the race)

1994 to 2009 (refuelling)

6 races; winners made 2 stops in 5, 3 or more in 1; first stop at a median lap 17 (31% of the race)

Lap times over the years

All races at Shanghai International Circuit