A long-awaited return to China is set to take place in 2024, with the Shanghai International Circuit having not been seen in Formula 1 since 2019.
The outbreak of Covid-19 and the subsequent strictness of measures to try and limit the spread of the disease in China has prevented the sport's return for several years, with planned returns in 2022 and 2023 both postponed and F1 set to honour the remaining two years of China's contract upon its return.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the $450million Shanghai International Circuit first appeared on the calendar in 2004 as Formula 1 expanded into the world's most populous nation and a key market for the sport, joining F1 in the same season as Bahrain.
The race had initially featured towards the end of the season when it joined the schedule, but the Chinese Grand Prix has now long featured as one of the so-called 'flyaway' races that make up the early part of the season.
The 2024 edition of the race also features the first time a Chinese racer will take part in their home race, as Zhou Guanyu finally gets the chance to compete in front of his home support in a Formula 1 car.
With the circuit layout designed specifically in the shape for the Chinese symbol 'Shang', meaning 'Upwards', it has resulted in a unique track that is a tyre killer, strenuous on drivers' necks and features several overtaking opportunities.
It's a demanding but rewarding circuit when the drivers get it right, so let's take a look corner by corner.
Turns 1/2 - Taken with one continuous turn of the wheel after approaching at 200mph, this right-hander gets both tighter and slower as it bends around, drivers managing their downshifts and braking until the downhill Turn 2 apex. A corner unlike any other on the calendar.
Turn 3 - A quick burst of throttle into this slow left-hander, looking to get back on the power on exit as early as possible.
Turn 4 - A continuation of Turn 3, allowing the car to drift wide right to stay flat for maximum benefit.
Turn 5 - A flat-out right kink, bringing the car to the left-hand side of the track again.
Turn 6 - Brake hard for this hairpin right, an overtaking opportunity for the brave, a certain side-on crash for those who misjudge it.
Turn 7 - Huge G-forces here in this left-hander, flat in qualifying trim, bringing the car to the left-hand side of the track as it bends around, tyres getting hotter all the time.
Turn 8 - Down a gear but still big strain on the neck through the next right, tucking into the kerb for optimum braking into the next section.
Turn 9 - Down several gears into an acute left-hander, again looking to get back on the power as soon as possible but not running wide on exit.
Turn 10 - Keep the throttle pinned for this next left-hander, opening out onto a short straight.
Turn 11 - Hard on the brakes, down from seventh or eighth gear into a tight left...
Turn 12 - But barely without time to think you're in the right-hander of Turn 12, the circuit starts to bank on its way around and this is probably the most crucial corner of the lap for gaining time.
Turn 13 - Stay flat out as the circuit continues on the banked right-hander, with exit speed crucial onto the mammoth 1.2km back straight.
Turn 14 - The biggest braking zone - and overtaking opportunity - of the lap, down from 210mph+ to around 50mph at the apex, with a tight right hairpin to follow.
Turn 15 - Barely a corner, the track bends right but use the extra width on the left to keep the throttle open after the exit of Turn 14.
Turn 16 - Another chance to gain a big chunk of time or lose your lap entirely for track limits. Left-handed, down a gear or two, throw the car in and hope the kerb is there for you on exit to complete the lap.
Practice and Sprint schedule TBC
Sunday 21 April
Race: 3pm [8am UK]
The official F1 Tickets website encourages fans to sign up with their email address for updated about when tickets go on sale for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Address: Shanghai International Circuit, China, Shanghai, Jiading District, 2000 Yining Road Zip Code: 201800
Shanghai has two international airports, Pudong - which is around an hour's drive from the circuit, and Hongqiao, which is just 30 minutes from the circuit.
Public transport is extensive in the city, with its Metro system claiming to be the fifth busiest in the world. Line 11 alights in North Jiading/Anting, with the Shanghai International Circuit situated in the Jiading region of the city.
While he has gone on to win more races than anyone else in Shanghai, the 2007 edition of the Chinese Grand Prix holds a painful memory for Lewis Hamilton, as his trip into the gravel on his way into the pit lane left him beached - having had a potential World Championship on the line in his rookie season.
Kimi Raikkonen's subsequent victory and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso taking second meant the title race was blown wide open heading into the final round in Brazil, with the Ferrari driver eventually taking the unlikeliest of World Championships.
Nico Rosberg earned his first ever Grand Prix victory by winning the 2012 edition of the race, while the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix would be the 91st and final time that Michael Schumacher would taste P1 champagne in Formula 1.
But one of the most thrilling races in Shanghai came in 2018, when Daniel Ricciardo's bravery saw him take top spot after a thrilling final stint.
Having started sixth, a Safety Car mid-race left the then-Red Bull driver with the chance to pit and his moves past both Ferrari and Mercedes drivers, as well as team-mate Max Verstappen, earned him a superb victory in the final laps - with a courageous move into the Turn 6 hairpin on Valtteri Bottas securing him P1 on the road.
Drivers with most wins
Lewis Hamilton, 6 wins (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Fernando Alonso, 2 wins (2005, 2013)
Nico Rosberg, 2 wins (2012, 2016)
Teams with most wins
Mercedes, 6 wins (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Ferrari, 4 wins (2004, 2006, 2007, 2013)
McLaren, 3 wins (2008, 2010, 2011)
Red Bull, 2 wins (2009, 2018)
Last 10 wins
2019 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2018 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
2017 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2016 Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2015 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2013 Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
2012 Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2011 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2010 Jenson Button, McLaren
Michael Schumacher set the outright race lap record in race trim at the first ever Chinese Grand Prix in 2004, clocking a 1:32.238 on the penultimate lap of the race in his dominant Ferrari at the time.
A 1:31.095 from Sebastian Vettel was the outright lap record around the track however, clocking that time in 2018 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying.
Alex Albon: "It just seems like there’s about a thousand lines you can do here. A lot of corners leading onto other corners so it seems like there’s a lot of different styles, pushing entries or pushing exits. So, it’s interesting for the drivers, that’s for sure."
Sergio Perez: "It’s quite a long circuit: long straights, very long corners, like Turn One which is quite hard when you first get here. First lap it’s always very hard to reach the apex because it’s so late in the corner that it kind of gets you. Also, the wind is very difficult here. So it’s quite a unique place, I’d say. Normally good racing and a nice feeling on one lap – it’s definitely a circuit I enjoy."
