Shanghai F1 Tickets

History of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix

The Chinese Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 2004 and is held at the Shanghai International Circuit. At the time of its development, it was the most expensive Formula One circuit in history. Plans for a Chinese Formula One Grand Prix began in the 1990s, with a provisional circuit in Guangdong as part of the 1999 F1 calendar. The track failed to meet FIA standards and was cancelled.

The first-ever Chinese Grand Prix winner was Ferrari’s Rubens Barichello and in 2006, Michael Schumacher won his final-ever F1 race around the circuit. In 2019, the Shangai International Circuit hosted Formula One’s 1000th Grand Prix, won by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. From 2020-2023, the Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but returned to the calendar in 2024, with attendance figures of over 200,000 people for the opportunity to witness China’s first-ever Formula One driver, Zhou Guanyu.

The Chinese Grand Prix offers famously affordable Formula One tickets and is an easy race to attend. China F1 tickets are available now through Fanatix – and kind to your wallet, too. Just as in 2025, 2026 will also see the Chinese Grand Prix host a Saturday Sprint Race, so you’ll get even more racing for your money. Read on to discover the best Chinese Grand Prix 2026 ticket options for you.

How to Buy Shanghai F1 tickets for the Grand Prix 2026

Fanatix is the place to secure your 2026 Shanghai F1 tickets.

2026 Shanghai Grand Prix Schedule

The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix runs from March 13-15. Times provided are local:

• Friday 13th 11:30-12:30: Practice 1
• Friday 13th 15:30-16:14: Sprint Qualifying
• Saturday 14th 11:00-12:00: Sprint
• Saturday 14th 15:00-16:00: Qualifying
• Sunday 15th 15:00: Race

Previous Winners Shanghai F1

Below are the key results from the last three editions of the race, including podium finishers, pole position and fastest lap.

2025 Chinese Grand Prix Summary

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend saw Lewis Hamilton take victory in the Saturday Sprint, but the feature race belonged to McLaren. Oscar Piastri secured a commanding win from pole position, leading teammate Lando Norris for a dominant one-two finish. Despite a late-race scare involving fading brakes, Norris managed to hold off a charging George Russell, who completed the podium for Mercedes.
The race was defined by shifting championship dynamics and technical drama. While the McLaren duo controlled the front, Max Verstappen struggled early before recovering to finish fourth, leaving Norris as the new championship leader. Ferrari suffered a disastrous weekend; after early contact between teammates, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified post-race for technical infringements. These penalties promoted Esteban Ocon to sixth and allowed rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to score points despite floor damage. Haas also benefited from the fallout, with Oliver Bearman rounding out the top ten.

Repeat winners

6 – Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)
2 – Fernando Alonso (2005, 2013)
2 – Nico Rosberg (2012, 2016)

Circuit information

Location: Shanghai International Circuit, Jiading, Shanghai, 伊宁路2000号 邮政编码: 201800
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 5.451 km (3.388 miles)
Turns: 16
Direction: Clockwise
Capacity: 200,000

Best grandstands at the Chinese Grand Prix

General Admission

• No TV screens or allocated seating. No coverage from bad weather
• General Admission tickets for the 2026 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix are divided into zones. You have free reign within these zones and there are plenty of viewing opportunities from the grass banks
• Best general admission zones: Zone F (leading on to the back straight with DRS), Zone L (next to Grandstand A on the main straight) and Zone B (Turn 1 and pit lane exit)

Main Straight (Grandstand A)

• TV screens with partially covered reserved seating
• Sitting in the higher rows can allow you to view most of the circuit, subject to weather
• The most expensive tickets of the weekend, but still cheap compared to most other Formula One Grand Prix tickets

Grandstand B (Turns 1-3)

• TV screens and reserved seating (no coverage)
• The best view of the tricky Turn 1-3 section
• Close access to fan zones, food and refreshments (behind Grandstand A)

Travelling to Shanghai

Key information

• Driving is not recommended though there is plenty of parking. Congestion is common around busy arrival/exit times
• Driving takes just over an hour from Pudong (PVG) to the Shanghai International Circuit
• Grab a Shanghai Jiatong Card at a metro station to use on the metro, buses and taxis
• Shanghai’s two major airports will be in full operation for the Chinese Grand Prix. Domestic flights will arrive in Hong Qiao (SHA) and international flights will land at Pudong (PVG)

Train

• The Shanghai Maglev Train is the high-speed alternative to the metro, shuttle buses or taxis
• It’s more pricey, but the fastest choice for arriving in Shanghai with a short transfer by metro or taxi to complete your journey

Taxi

• An affordable and reliable option
• Uber doesn’t exist in China, but DiDi is their alternative and works just as well

Metro

• Operates from 6:30 am to 9 pm
• Cheap and efficient option (especially with a Shanghai Jiatong Card)
• Metro Line 11 stops at a dedicated circuit station
• Metro Line 2 can get you from Hong Qiao Airport to Shanghai city centre

FAQs about Shanghai F1 Tickets

How do I get to the Shanghai International Circuit?

The circuit is located in the Jiading District, about 35km from downtown Shanghai. The most efficient way to arrive is via Metro Line 11. You should get off at the “Shanghai Circuit” station, which is a short walk from the main entrance (Gate 1). The journey from central areas like The Bund or Jing’an Temple takes approximately 60 minutes.

Do I need my passport to enter the circuit?

Yes. Tickets for the Chinese Grand Prix are personalized and tied to real-name verification. International fans must bring their physical passport to the circuit, as security staff will often verify your ID against your digital ticket at the entrance gates.

What is the difference between the sections in Grandstand A?

Grandstand A is one of the largest in F1 and is split into several tiers. “Platinum” seats are located in the highest central section, providing the best view of the entire pit lane and start/finish straight. “High Gold” seats offer great panoramic views, while “Low Silver” seats are closer to the track, offering a more intense experience of the speed and sound as cars roar past the pits.

Can I bring food and drinks into the track?

You are allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks for personal consumption. However, glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. The circuit offers a wide variety of local food, including famous Shanghai soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao), but queues for food stalls can be long during peak times.

Are the grandstands in Shanghai covered?

The Main Grandstand (A) and Grandstands H and K are covered, which provides essential protection from both the sun and the frequent spring rain in Shanghai. General Admission areas and the newer Grandstand B are typically uncovered, so we recommend bringing a poncho if you are booked in those sections.

How does the “Sprint” format affect my ticket?

Shanghai is frequently chosen as a Sprint weekend. This means your 3-day ticket offers even more value: you will see Sprint Qualifying on Friday, the Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday, and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. There is competitive, high-stakes action on the track every single day.

Is there public Wi-Fi at the circuit?

Public Wi-Fi is generally not available for spectators at the track. Furthermore, mobile data networks can become extremely congested and slow with over 100,000 fans on-site. We recommend downloading your digital tickets and any necessary maps to your phone before you leave your hotel.

What is the best way to pay for things inside the circuit?

While some stalls accept cash and international credit cards, China is a mobile-payment-first society. We highly recommend setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay on your smartphone before you arrive. These apps can now be linked to international credit cards and are the most reliable way to pay for food, drinks, and merchandise.