Chinese Grand Prix

The Chinese Grand Prix is back on the 2024 F1 calendar after a 5 year absence. The race takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit about 45 minutes drive from the city centre and an hour from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The track is impressive and features the largest paddock of any race. On track though, the event lacks atmosphere and many of the grandstands are covered with signage due to low spectator numbers. But, this race does provide the cheapest 3-day general admission ticket; US$67.

There are a number of good quality hotels near the track although there is little in the way of entertainment and experiences in the area. For that you’ll need to head to Shanghai city; the Bund in particular. In the city you will probably not find much to remind you there’s an F1 race going on as the sport is still struggling to find a local audience.

For security reasons, the streets around the track are closed to most vehicles on track days so be prepared for a long walk. There is a train station adjacent to the main grand stand (on line 11) that provides excellent access and I came across a nice shopping area a few stops along the train line.

For my money, the best stands at the track are on the main straight (covered) and at the turn 14 hairpin (partially covered) where overtakes take place. From the upper levels you get great views of the hairpin and if you choose the north end you’ll enjoy watching the cars enter pit lane or the main straight.

The thing I remember most about photographing this event is the lack of blue skies as most days were grey or hazy.

This will be the first year local driver Zhou Guanyu will drive in front of his home crowd so the organiser will be banking on a bump up in crowd numbers and atmosphere.