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Shanghai International Circuit

Coordinates: 31°20′20″N 121°13′11″E / 31.33889°N 121.21972°E / 31.33889; 121.21972
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Shanghai International Circuit
LocationJiading, Shanghai, China
Time zoneUTC+08:00
Coordinates31°20′20″N 121°13′11″E / 31.33889°N 121.21972°E / 31.33889; 121.21972
Capacity200,000
FIA Grade1 (Grand Prix)
2 (International)
3E (West Long)
Owner
OperatorShanghai International Circuit Co., Ltd.
Broke groundApril 2003; 21 years ago (2003-04)
Opened6 June 2004; 20 years ago (2004-06-06)
Construction cost¥2.6 billion ($450 million, €370 million)
ArchitectHermann Tilke
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Chinese Grand Prix (2004–2019, 2024)
Formula E
Shanghai ePrix (2024)
GT World Challenge Asia (2017–2019, 2024)
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2004–2019, 2021, 2023–present)
Former:
FIA WEC
4 Hours of Shanghai (2012–2019)
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix (2005–2008)
WTCC Race of China (2012–2016)
Asian Le Mans Series (2014, 2018–2019)
A1 Grand Prix (2006–2008)
V8 Supercars China round (2005)
Websiteshang-sai.com
Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present)
Length5.451 km (3.388 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:32.238 (Germany Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1)
Motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit (2004–present)
Length5.281 km (3.282 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:59.273 (Italy Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2008, MotoGP)
Intermediate Circuit (2004–present)
Length4.603 km (2.858 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:35.177 (Canada Robert Wickens, Lola B05/52, 2008, A1GP)
West Long Circuit (2012–present)
Length3.051 km (1.896 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record1:15.358 (France Norman Nato, Porsche 99X Electric, 2024, F-E)

The Shanghai International Circuit (simplified Chinese: 上海国际赛车场; traditional Chinese: 上海國際賽車場; pinyin: Shànghǎi Guójì Sàichēchǎng), also called the SAIC Shanghai International Circuit (simplified Chinese: 上海上汽国际赛车场; traditional Chinese: 上海上汽國際賽車場; pinyin: Shànghǎi Shàngqì Guójì Sàichēchǎng) for sponsorship purposes, is a motorsport race track, situated in the Jiading District, Shanghai, China. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Chinese Grand Prix which was hosted from 2004 to 2019, and from 2024.

The Shanghai International Circuit features over 10 top-tier domestic car racing events annually. It also boasts Shanghai's only world-class outdoor go-karting track.

As a nationally recognized 4A-rated tourist attraction, the circuit features tourism, shopping, dining, entertainment, and sports.[1]

History

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Shanghai International Circuit was conceived by the Shanghai authorities as a way to showcase the city to the world. A 5.3 sq km site was chosen in the Jiading District in the north west of the city, close to major car parts manufacturing facilities and a budget of 2.6 billion yuan ($450 million) raised through a government-funded joint-venture company, the Shanghai Jiushi Group.

Herman Tilke was chosen to design the track and associated buildings, and between April and May 2003, engineers visited the site to draw up their plans. The site was actually a swampland, previously used as rice paddy fields, and extensive groundworks had to be completed to construct the circuit. For 18 months some 3,000 workers were on site daily to complete the facility – a remarkable feat of both engineering and logistics.

When it opened, visitors found a vast complex, dominated by the main grandstand and pit complex, which featured wing-like viewing platforms crossing the circuit at either end. This can hold 30,000 spectators alone, and others around the circuit take the total capacity to 200,000. Paddock facilities were also unique – each of the F1 teams had its own building, arranged like pavilions in a lake to resemble the ancient Yu Garden in Shanghai.[2]

The Shanghai International Circuit is the first in China to be purpose-built for Formula One and it hosts FIA Formula One World Championship Chinese Grand Prix every year since 2004.[3] The circuit also holds a number of global high-profile series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Blancpain GT Series Asia.

In the past, the circuit has hosted the MotoGP world championship, and a one-off V8 Supercars China Round of the Australian-based V8 Supercar championship in 2005, and also the final round of the A1 Grand Prix in 2006/2007.

In 2011, the Shanghai International Circuit signed a sponsorship deal with Audi and was subsequently named the Shanghai Audi International Circuit and the SAIC International Circuit following a deal with SAIC Motor.

Layout

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Satellite image of the circuit, as it appeared in April 2018

The track layout was inspired from the Chinese character shang (上), the first character in the name of the city Shanghai, meaning "above" or "ascend".[4]

There’s a unique start to the lap as the drivers fly into the ever-tightening Turns 1 and 2, before they dart left through 3 and 4. The super-high g force Turns 7 and 8 are loved by the drivers, while the circuit also features one of the longest straights on the calendar, the 1.2 km (0.7 mi) stretch that separates turns 13 and 14.[5]

A lap in a Formula One car

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The first two bends make a 185 km/h (115 mph) right-hand curve which leads immediately into turns 3 and 4 taken at 105 km/h (65 mph). One and two are far more difficult – a lift on entry followed by various taps of the throttle and brakes are needed so the car maintains balance throughout. It also becomes blind towards the middle of the corner.[6] Three and four are less complicated, with three being a simple hairpin, but a good exit is needed from four to gain speed down the following straight and through turn 5. The complex of turns 1–4 makes up the first of two "snails" on the circuit, the other being turns 11–13.[7] Turn 6 is a second gear, right-handed hairpin with plentiful run-off. Turns 7 and 8 make up a high speed chicane – the left-right complex sees a constant G-force of 3[6] and a minimum speed of about 160 km/h (99 mph). Turns 9 and 10 immediately follow – two slow left-handers which require a good exit to gain speed down the next straight. Turns 11 and 12 effectively make up a slow left-right chicane where the use of kerbs are important but traction is low. Turn 13 is a very long right-hander which becomes less and less tight, and a very good exit is important as DRS is available down the following straight. At 1.170 km (0.727 mi), it is the equivalent to 11 football pitches laid end to end, or the same length as three and a half of the world's biggest aircraft carriers[8] Turn 14 is a hairpin at the end of the straight – the second gear corner is a prime overtaking spot as DRS is available in the run up to the corner. Turn 16 is the last corner – a fourth-gear[6] left-hander which requires a quick tap on the brakes – braking early can be more effective as you can then carry more speed through the corner and then down the pit straight.

Events

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Current
Former

Lap records

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The total length of the circuit is 5.451 km (3.387 mi), which is about average for a Formula One circuit. Michael Schumacher's official race lap record of 1:32.238 has stood since 2004. In Q3 of 2018 Chinese Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position with a time of 1:31.095, a new unofficial track record.[9] As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Shanghai International Circuit are listed as:[10]

Category Record Circuit Length Circuit Layout Driver/Rider Vehicle Date
Formula One 1:32.238[10] 5.451 km (3.387 mi) Germany Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2004 September 26, 2004
LMP1 1:45.892[10][11] Switzerland Sébastien Buemi Toyota TS050 Hybrid 2017 November 5, 2017
GP2 Asia 1:46.407[10] Japan Kamui Kobayashi Dallara GP2/05 October 18, 2008
LMP2 1:51.793[10][11] Brazil Bruno Senna Oreca 07 Gibson November 5, 2017
A1 Grand Prix 1:52.508[10] Malaysia Alex Yoong Lola A1GP April 2, 2006
GT3 2:00.195[12] Canada Daniel Morad Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo September 15, 2024
LMP3 2:00.638[10][13] Switzerland Mathias Beche Ligier JS P3 August 27, 2017
LM GTE 2:00.948[10][14] France Kévin Estre Porsche 911 RSR-19 November 10, 2019
Formula Regional 2:01.440[15] China Daniel Cao Tatuus F3 T-318 September 27, 2019
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2:04.157[16] Indonesia Jonathan Cecotto Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 September 14, 2024
Formula Renault 2.0 2:04.675[17] China Daniel Cao Tatuus FR2.0/13 April 29, 2018
Formula 4 2:06.219[18] China Cui Yuanpu Mygale M21-F4 September 15, 2024
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:07.723[10][19] Germany Philip Hamprecht Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup April 15, 2019
Formula BMW 2:12.155[20] Australia Michael Patrizi Mygale FB02 October 16, 2005
TCR Touring Car 2:14.904[21] China Hongyu Zhang Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) June 8, 2024
GT4 2:17.168[22] China Hu Hao Heng BMW M4 GT4 Evo October 4, 2023
MotoGP 1:59.273 5.281 km (3.281 mi) Italy Valentino Rossi Yamaha YZR-M1 May 4, 2008
250cc 2:05.738 Spain Jorge Lorenzo Aprilia RSW 250 May 6, 2007
125cc 2:12.131 Spain Álvaro Bautista Aprilia RS 125 R May 14, 2006
A1 Grand Prix 1:35.177 4.603 km (2.860 mi) Canada Robert Wickens Lola A1GP April 13, 2008
Formula Renault 2.0 1:48.325[23] Finland Leopold Ringbom Tatuus FR2000 October 23, 2011
TC1 1:50.833 China Ma Qinghua Citroën C-Elysée WTCC October 12, 2014
V8 Supercars 1:51.0557[24] Australia Todd Kelly Holden VZ Commodore June 12, 2005
Super 2000 1:54.947 Switzerland Alain Menu Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T November 4, 2012
TCR Touring Car 1:59.143[25] China Huang Chuhan Audi RS 3 LMS TCR August 5, 2017
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:02.2892[26] China Siu Tit Lung Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3 Cup June 12, 2005
Formula E 1:15.358[27] 3.051 km (1.896 mi) France Norman Nato Porsche 99X Electric May 26, 2024
[edit]
  • Exterior of main grandstand
    Exterior of main grandstand
  • Main grandstand
    Main grandstand
  • View from the main grandstand
    View from the main grandstand
  • Covered grandstand H & K
    Covered grandstand H & K
  • Grandstand H & K
    Grandstand H & K
  • Pit
    Pit

References

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  1. ^ "Shanghai International Circuit". english.shanghai.gov.cn. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Shanghai International Circuit". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "China". Formula1.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Chinese Grand Prix Preview". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. April 13, 2009. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
  5. ^ "China". Formula1.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Shanghai International Circuit guide". F1 Fanatic. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  7. ^ RedBull.com (May 4, 2012). "Circuit Guide: Shanghai International Circuit". Red Bull Motorsports. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  8. ^ "Straight-line power – the engine in Shanghai". Formula1.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  9. ^ Takle, Abhishek (April 14, 2018). "Vettel snatches pole position in Ferrari one-two". Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Shanghai Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "2017 FIA WEC 6 Hours of Shanghai - Race - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. November 5, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  12. ^ "2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS - Race 2 - Round 12 - Classification - Final" (PDF). September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  13. ^ "2017 FRD LMP3 Series - Round 3 - Result of FRD LMP3 - Main Race" (PDF). August 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "2019 FIA WEC 4 Hours of Shanghai - Race - Final Classification" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "2019 Asian Formula 3 Shanghai 2 (Race 1)". September 27, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia 2024 Round 5 - Race 1 - Classification - Final" (PDF). September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "China Endurance Series 2018 - Round 1 - Asian Formula Renault - Official Classification of Race 1" (PDF). April 29, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  18. ^ "2024 F4 Chinese Championship - Race 3 - Round 13 - Classification - Final 2" (PDF). September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "Porsche Carrera Cup Asia roars off the line alongside the historic 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix" (PDF). April 15, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "Formula BMW 2005 - Round 14 - Shanghai - Race". October 16, 2005. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "TCR CN 2024 » Shanghai International Circuit GP Round 3 Results". June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "2023 Shanghai 8 Hours Statistics" (PDF). October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "2011 Shanghai AFR Series Race #2 Official Result". October 23, 2011. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "2005 Buick V8 Supercars China Round #2". June 12, 2005. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "TCR CN 2017 » Shanghai International Circuit Round 1 Results". August 5, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  26. ^ "2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series - Round 5 - Shanghai International Circuit, China - Asia GT Challenge - Race 2". racing.natsoft.com.au. June 12, 2005. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "2024 Shanghai ePrix/2 Race Statistics". May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
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