How to watch Chinese Grand Prix 2025: Schedule, weather and UK start time for second F1 race

Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season will see the return of the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend following a thrilling opening race. The Shanghai International Circuit will act as the first of six sprint events this year as Lewis Hamilton looks to bounce back after a disappointing debut with Ferrari. It did not go to plan for Hamilton in his first race weekend at FerrariGetty The seven-time F1 world champion crossed the line in a lowly tenth position to claim just a solitary point during his first outing in red. The Brit, who started the Australian Grand Prix in eighth, briefly led the race late on before a strategy mix-up in the wet ruined his hopes. Instead, Hamilton’s compatriot Lando Norris staved off a late challenge from defending champion Max Verstappen to claim victory. The McLaren star ended the Dutchman’s 63-race streak at the top of the driver’s standings which had started way back in Spain in 2022. However, Verstappen will relish the instant opportunity for revenge on a circuit he romped home to win the Chinese Grand Prix last year. In contrast to Melbourne’s rainy season opener, the latest weather forecast for Shanghai shows a sunny weekend with light wind awaits. Chinese Grand Prix: Date and UK start time The race weekend at Shanghai International Circuit will take place from Friday, March 21 until Sunday, March 23. A single practice session gets racing underway at 3:30am UK time on Friday before Sprint qualifying is scheduled to start at 7:30am. The Sprint Race then takes place at 3am on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix at 7am. Light’s Out for the Chinese GP is at 7am UK time on Sunday. F1's recent race winners in China 2024 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2020-2023: Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2018 – Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 2017 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2016 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes 2015 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 2014 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Hamilton was once a serial winner in ShanghaiGetty Images - Getty Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 5:30am on Sunday. Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices. You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening. Piers Prior will also have updates on the Chinese Grand Prix live on talkSPORT. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. Verstappen took the chequered flag upon China’s return to F1 last yearAFP Chinese Grand Prix: What has been said? Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has called on the Prancing Horse to improve its in-race communication with Hamilton. Seven-time world champion Hamilton had a difficult first outing with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, during last week’s opener. “It was the first race, the first time that we have to communicate between the pit wall and the car, and we can do a better job and know each other more,” Vasseur said. “For sure it was not a clean one at all, the strategy was difficult and we need to find a better way to communicate between the car and the pit wall but we will learn from Race 1 and it is not an issue.” On Hamilton’s overall struggles in the wet conditions, Vasseur added: “It was not a shock but for sure it was not a good weekend for us. But we focus on next week [the Chinese Grand Prix] and learn a lot from this weekend because we made mistakes. “We need to improve the communication, understand what Lewis needs from the communication, and it is only in this situation that we can be in the situation. We will be much better next week.” Hamilton started the race eighth but finished 10thGetty Chinese Grand Prix: Drivers’ Standings Lando Norris (McLaren) – 25 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 18 George Russell (Mercedes) – 15 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 12 Alex Albon (Williams) – 10 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 8 Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 6 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 4 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 2 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 0 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 0 Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 0 Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 0 Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 0 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 0 Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – 0 Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 0

Mar 17, 2025 - 16:16

How to watch Chinese Grand Prix 2025: Schedule, weather and UK start time for second F1 race

Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season will see the return of the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend following a thrilling opening race.

The Shanghai International Circuit will act as the first of six sprint events this year as Lewis Hamilton looks to bounce back after a disappointing debut with Ferrari.

It did not go to plan for Hamilton in his first race weekend at Ferrari

The seven-time F1 world champion crossed the line in a lowly tenth position to claim just a solitary point during his first outing in red.

The Brit, who started the Australian Grand Prix in eighth, briefly led the race late on before a strategy mix-up in the wet ruined his hopes.

Instead, Hamilton’s compatriot Lando Norris staved off a late challenge from defending champion Max Verstappen to claim victory.

The McLaren star ended the Dutchman’s 63-race streak at the top of the driver’s standings which had started way back in Spain in 2022.

However, Verstappen will relish the instant opportunity for revenge on a circuit he romped home to win the Chinese Grand Prix last year.

In contrast to Melbourne’s rainy season opener, the latest weather forecast for Shanghai shows a sunny weekend with light wind awaits.

Chinese Grand Prix: Date and UK start time

The race weekend at Shanghai International Circuit will take place from Friday, March 21 until Sunday, March 23.

A single practice session gets racing underway at 3:30am UK time on Friday before Sprint qualifying is scheduled to start at 7:30am.

The Sprint Race then takes place at 3am on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix at 7am.

Light’s Out for the Chinese GP is at 7am UK time on Sunday.

F1's recent race winners in China

2024 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2020-2023: Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2018 – Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

2017 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2016 – Nico Rosberg, Mercedes

2015 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2014 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

Hamilton was once a serial winner in Shanghai

Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream

The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 5:30am on Sunday.

Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.

Piers Prior will also have updates on the Chinese Grand Prix live on talkSPORT.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Verstappen took the chequered flag upon China’s return to F1 last year

Chinese Grand Prix: What has been said?

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has called on the Prancing Horse to improve its in-race communication with Hamilton.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton had a difficult first outing with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, during last week’s opener.

“It was the first race, the first time that we have to communicate between the pit wall and the car, and we can do a better job and know each other more,” Vasseur said.

“For sure it was not a clean one at all, the strategy was difficult and we need to find a better way to communicate between the car and the pit wall but we will learn from Race 1 and it is not an issue.”

On Hamilton’s overall struggles in the wet conditions, Vasseur added: “It was not a shock but for sure it was not a good weekend for us. But we focus on next week [the Chinese Grand Prix] and learn a lot from this weekend because we made mistakes.

“We need to improve the communication, understand what Lewis needs from the communication, and it is only in this situation that we can be in the situation. We will be much better next week.”