Five Things to Know About the 2025 Chinese GP

Our points-scoring season opener is still fresh in our heads as we fly from Melbourne to Shanghai all fired up for Round 2 of 2025.

It might be a double-header, but the Chinese Grand Prix sees the first Sprint of the season meaning there's plenty of difference in our preparation from last week.

Set yourself up for a busy weekend of competitive action with these five things all about the Chinese GP.

Last year's rearrangement of the calendar to geographically group the races closer together saw some venues hosting F1 at unfamiliar times in the year.

Suzuka had the Japanese GP in April, the Azerbaijan GP moved to September, and the Chinese GP's return nudged to a new spot in Round 5.

Not so for 2025, with China enjoying an F1 visit in March for the very first time as the calendar elongates earlier and later into the year.

It's won't be the only time China is the second race of a season, though, with 2017 previously being the follow-up to Australia, albeit with an April date.

F1 had its short-form Sprint race at China for the first time last year when the Shanghai International Circuit came back to the sport after a short hiatus.

Clearly the racing and passionate fans impressed the powers that be, and the 100 km dash to the line is back at the track in 2025.

That means there are two chances for Carbono to score points this weekend, with Sprint coming on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix race.

Carlos snagged four points for P5 here last year in the Sprint before a P5 in the race... Alex just finished P5 in Melbourne... Could more points be coming their way this weekend?

Lia Block will be joining the Atlassian Williams Racing entourage in Shanghai as F1 Academy stages its opening round of its season.

After continually improving throughout her maiden single-seater campaign last year, Lia will look to continue that trajectory for points, podiums, and more in '25.

It's the first time the championship has ventured to China, so all the drivers will face a new challenge when they race on Saturday afternoon.

Lia also faces more competition in 2025, too, with a new team joining the series to expand the car count to 18. Tune in 70 minutes ahead of F1 Quali to see her opening race on Saturday.

If you've ever seen a Chinese GP, you'll know the Turn 14 hairpin at the end of the long 1.170 km back straight is a prime spot for passing.

Yet it's not the only place to overtake at Shangai, with multiple lines possible into the ever-tightening Turn 1-2 complex, being brave on the brake in the Turn 6 braking zone, or even brave side-by-side moves in the twisting second sector.

It's no wonder, then, that the circuit holds the F1 record for the most overtakes in a dry race, with the 2016 edition boasting an incredible 161 passes.

The race even held the outright record until the wet-weather chaos in the 2023 Dutch GP edged ahead.

Sunny weather forecasts mean the drivers won't have to handle a slippery weather conditions like they did in Melbourne.

That doesn't mean they can rely on their track knowledge for 2024, however, as the entirety of the circuit had a summer resurfacing after F1's visit.

Although it's the same Pirelli compounds as last year, the tyre adhesion levels could be wildly different in 2025 as the asphalt gains grip over the three days.

There won't be much time to learn, either, as Sprint means there is only one hour of Free Practice on Friday before the Sprint Qualifying kicks off the competitive running.