2025 Chinese Grand Prix

Championship standings

Norris leads the Drivers’ Championship with 25 points, seven ahead of Verstappen and ten ahead of Russell in third.

Previous race

Norris won in Melbourne from pole ahead of Verstappen and Russell, ending Verstappen’s consecutive-day streak of leading the Drivers’ Championship that had run since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri slid into the grass near the end and recovered to ninth. Hadjar crashed on the formation lap, delaying the start by ten minutes; Bortoleto retired after a collision and Lawson also failed to finish.

Entrants

This is the final race for Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls. From the Japanese Grand Prix onward, the two drivers swap teams.

Track changes

The DRS zone leading into turn 14 has been lengthened by 75 metres.

Sprint format

China is the first sprint weekend of the season. The schedule replaces the second free practice session with sprint qualifying and a sprint race.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C2, C3 and C4 compounds — designated hard, medium and soft.

Practice

The sole free practice session was topped by Norris, with Leclerc second and Piastri third. An issue with Doohan’s Alpine triggered a red flag that halted proceedings with seven minutes remaining. Lawson and Albon both drove into the gravel early in the session.