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Lars Hamer

The Chinese Grand Prix gets under way in Shanghai this weekend but for some teams on the grid, a race against time is already under way, after eight cars went missing earlier this week because of a major freight delay.
McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Williams teams all arrived in China’s most populous city expecting their cars to be with them shortly after.
But the cars did not arrive until Wednesday, leaving affected teams scrambling to get them ready ahead of Friday’s practice sessions.
With some teams losing 30 hours of preparation time, the Shanghai race has already got off to a controversial start and the Post has examined who is most likely to top the podium and how to watch the action unfold.
What is special about the Shanghai race?
The Shanghai circuit, which measures 5.451 kilometres and will be driven over 56 laps, is known for its long straights and long corners.
The beginning of the race is a lively affair, too. The first corner has a fast approach leading into an almost 360-degree right-hand turn that brings drivers into a slow left-hander.
Section two has two high g-force corners in Turns 7 and 8, just before the drivers hit a 1.2km straight, one of the longest on the calendar.

Who is likely to top the podium?
McLaren’s Lando Norris won the season-opening race in Melbourne last week, going one better than the second place he managed in 2024. The Briton is currently the favourite to finish first but is likely to face tough competition from Australian teammate Oscar Piastri.
Ferrari had a poor start to their campaign, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both failing to finish in the top six.
Monacan Leclerc is more used to the car than Hamilton, but the seven-time world champion has won the Shanghai circuit six times.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second in Australia last week, is heading into this season looking to make history by becoming only the second driver since Michael Schumacher to win five world championships in a row.
Who is representing China this year?
China will not have a driver in the race this season, as Zhou Guanyu, the country’s first to feature on the grid, became a reserve driver for Ferrari after he lost his seat with Sauber at the end of 2024.
But Shanghai-born Zhou has been making himself known upon returning to his hometown, discussing Ferrari and his new teammates.
“I’m really happy that I’m here now, back to where I started all my junior single-seater racing, and also my Academy days. It’s been great to see a lot of familiar faces,” Zhou said to Formula One of his return to Scuderia.
Zhou also lifted the lid on what Hamilton does during his downtime: “I think Lewis plays different games to me. I think he’s more into Call of Duty and uses the PlayStation a lot, carrying it around the world. I’m more into computers as a Counter-Strike guy.”

What is the new rear-wing flex rule?
Last weekend’s race produced a technical talking point that has rumbled over to the Chinese Grand Prix.
Without getting too technical, F1 rules state that a car’s bodywork should not move but there are allowances for how much the rear and front wings can “flex” when moving around the track.
At last weekend’s practice sessions, the FIA fitted cars with more cameras to monitor rear-wing flexing and on Monday a tightening of what is permitted was announced, starting with the race in Shanghai.
When are the races and how to watch them?
For viewers in Hong Kong, the 19-lap sprint race starts at 11am on Saturday, with qualifying for Sunday’s main event at 3pm.
The main event starts at 3pm on Sunday.
Hongkongers can watch the action on beIN Sports and Now Sports 1 and 2. Mainland viewers can tune in via Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel and Tencent.
Singapore and Malaysia will also have the action on beIN Sports and F1 fans in the United States can watch it unfold on ESPN.


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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during practice at the Shanghai International Circuit on Friday. Photo: Reuters

McLaren’s Lando Norris, last week’s winner, gets ready for the sprint qualifying session. Photo: AFP

Staff members look on from the pits during the practice session on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Eddie Jordan (right) with McLaren team boss Ron Dennis at the 2004 Shanghai Grand Prix. Photo: Reuters

Jordan with Niki Lauda (left) at the wedding of British singer Geri Halliwell and Red Bull principal Christian Horner in 2015. Photo: Reuters

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Sport

China

Motorsport

The China leg has got off to an inauspicious start with eights cars arriving late, but we get you up to speed on the season’s second race


The China leg has got off to an inauspicious start with eights cars arriving late, but we get you up to speed on the season’s second race.


Lewis Hamilton

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Explainer | Chinese Grand Prix: what’s special about Shanghai’s Formula 1 race, and where to catch it

The China leg has got off to an inauspicious start with eights cars arriving late, but we get you up to speed on the season’s second race

What is special about the Shanghai race?