2025 Chinese language Grand Prix technique briefing: All the information to observe the race with

The brand new observe floor at Shanghai Worldwide Circuit has despatched lap occasions via the roof and compelled groups right into a rethink on their set-ups and techniques.

First-time pole winner Oscar Piastri has an excellent likelihood to assert his third grand prix victory however groups will likely be venturing into the unknown so far as technique is anxious. Right here’s what we all know to date.

Climate

There needs to be no repeat of the treacherous situations which caught drivers out in Melbourne final week. One other heat day is forecast in Shanghai.

Ambient temperatures ought to peak at round 27C, which is round 5C hotter than in final yr’s race. That plus the resurfaced observe means the tyres are going to be underneath much more pressure, which is why Pirelli elevated the minimal pressures after the primary day of follow.

One issue may match within the groups’ favour. Cloud cowl is anticipated to type round an hour earlier than the race’s 5pm, which ought to result in a drop in observe floor temperatures. This may finally deliver rain with it, however present fashions point out that gained’t occur till a number of hours after the chequered flag falls. So, barring a sudden shift within the forecast between every now and then, drivers can stay up for their first dry race of the season.

Begin

Hamilton punished Norris for making an attempt the surface line firstly of final yr’s dash race

The run to show one is analogous in size to what drivers encountered final weekend. However the configuration of the primary nook is completely different to Albert Park and, certainly, each observe on the calendar. Drivers can simply get ‘frolicked’ on the surface of the lengthy, looping right-handers which type turns one and two, as occurred to Lando Norris in final yr’s dash race.

Distance from pole place to first braking zone. Supply: Mercedes

Dash race tempo

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Shanghai International Circuit, 2025 — Lap occasions dropped off shortly in Saturday’s dash race

As it is a dash race weekend we’ve already seen what the groups can do. Lap occasions rose quickly throughout the sector, however particularly so for many who received into shut quarters – Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri’s lap occasions slowed considerably from lap 14.

Beginning grid

Right here’s the beginning grid for the race. This will likely be up to date right here if any penalties are issued earlier than the race begins:

Technique

Final yr most drivers selected to begin the race on the medium tyre compound. The softs had few takers, and are prone to be too fragile given the elevated cornering speeds this yr.

These beginning close to the entrance are unlikely to threat beginning on the hards as it should probably imply shedding locations off the road. However any staff with one automotive close to the entrance and the opposite close to the again might acquire helpful information concerning the efficiency of the hards by beginning their lower-placed driver on them. Step ahead Liam Lawson.

The drivers have the next units of dry climate tyres accessible for the grand prix. No driver has run the arduous tyres for as a lot as a single lap to date this weekend:

Tyres accessible for the race
Onerous
Medium
Tender

Driver
New
Used
New
Used
New
Used

Lando Norris
2

1
1

Oscar Piastri
2

1
1

Charles Leclerc
2

1
1

Lewis Hamilton
2

1
1

Max Verstappen
2

1
1

Liam Lawson
2

Andrea Kimi Antonelli
2

1
1

George Russell
2

1
1

Lance Stroll
2

2
1
2

Fernando Alonso
2

2
1
2

Jack Doohan
2

1
1
3

Pierre Gasly
2

1
1
3

Esteban Ocon
2

Oliver Bearman
2

1
1
2
1

Isack Hadjar
2

1
1

Yuki Tsunoda
2

1
1

Alexander Albon
2

1
1

Carlos Sainz Jnr
2

1
3

Nico Hulkenberg
2

Gabriel Bortoleto
2

1
1
2
1

Verstappen gained final yr after beginning on the mediums, switching to hards after 13 laps, then making a second cease for arduous tyres after simply 11 extra laps. He made his second pit cease early as a consequence of a Digital Security Automotive interval, which turned a full Security Automotive.

Different drivers managed to eke out their first set of tyres till the interruption, notably Norris, who was capable of break up the two-stopping Purple Bull drivers and end second because of this.

Drivers sometimes lose 24 seconds making a pit cease in Shanghai. Whereas groups would undoubtedly desire to make only one cease, the excessive charge of degradation signifies that’s unlikely, except the arduous tyres turn into very sturdy.

Overtaking

Shanghai was one of many extra easy circuits for drivers to overhaul on final yr. This yr the DRS zone on the longest straight has been prolonged by 75 metres, so the query of whether or not drivers will try a transfer is prone to be extra a matter of whether or not they’re keen to place their tyres via the extra pressure and probably threat shortening their stint.