F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025: Check schedule, how and where to watch in US, and key stats

Formula 1 returns to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday, the second race of the 2025 season. The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will be broadcast in the United States on ESPN. Viewers in other countries can check their local listings for coverage.

F1 Shanghai Chinese Grand Prix

Saturday: Sprint race and qualifying for the Grand Prix.

Sunday: The Chinese Grand Prix.


Shanghai International Circuit
The 5.45-kilometer (3.39-mile) Shanghai International Circuit will host the race. The track, which resembles the Chinese character "shang," first hosted Formula 1 in 2004. Max Verstappen won the last race held there in 2024, ahead of Lando Norris. However, teams have limited recent experience at the circuit since F1 did not race there from 2020 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recap of the Australian Grand Prix

Last weekend, McLaren's Lando Norris won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix despite sliding off-track in rainy conditions. Verstappen finished second, while Mercedes’ George Russell secured third. Norris' teammate, Oscar Piastri, spun off but recovered to finish ninth after overtaking Lewis Hamilton, who placed 10th in his first race for Ferrari.

Chinese Grand Prix Key Storylines Ahead of the Race

Hamilton's Sprint Pole: Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the sprint race, marking a strong comeback after a difficult Ferrari debut.

McLaren’s Strength: McLaren has shown strong pace, with Norris leading the driver standings after his Australian win.

Ferrari’s Challenge: Hamilton has expressed the need for Ferrari to improve to challenge McLaren this season.

Notable Statistics
Three Winners: Only three current drivers have won in China—Verstappen (2024), Hamilton (six times between 2008-2019), and Fernando Alonso (2005, 2013).

63 Races: Verstappen led the driver standings for 63 consecutive races before Norris took the lead this season.

Youngest Scorer: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, at 18 years old, became the second-youngest driver in F1 history to score points in his debut race in Australia.

Sprint Qualifying Highlights
During sprint qualifying, Hamilton secured pole after Norris made an error in his final run and placed sixth. Verstappen was second, while Piastri finished third. Norris was the fastest in the only practice session of the weekend, highlighting McLaren’s continued strong performance.

Driver Reactions
"I’m just a bit gobsmacked, honestly, I’m a bit taken back by it." — Hamilton

"The McLarens looked fast up until the last run so it will be hard to keep them behind during the sprint but hopefully it will be fun." — Verstappen

"Our difficulties that we’ve been struggling with showed a lot more today." — Norris

The Chinese Grand Prix promises another competitive race as teams look to gain momentum early in the 2025 season.

(Inputs from AP)