Chinese Grand Prix 2025 Draws Massive Crowd and Global Fans
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix 2025 shattered attendance records at the Shanghai International Circuit, pulling in 220,000 fans over the race weekend. That’s 20,000 more than last year, no small feat in the world of Formula 1. The Jiushi Group, who runs the show, upped ticket numbers by 17,000, clearly betting that excitement for F1 in China would keep climbing. They were right.
It wasn’t just locals turning out. The event saw a jump in international visitors, with foreigners making up 10% of the crowd, way up from just 5% in 2024. F1’s global pull is undeniable, and Shanghai fans soaked up the electric atmosphere, eager for a slice of the action. This marks a new high for an Asian Grand Prix since motorsport’s post-pandemic rebound.
While home hero Zhou Guanyu didn’t make the grid this time—he’s now Ferrari’s reserve—he still drew cheers just by showing up. His presence as the first Chinese F1 driver continues to energize local fans, who rallied around him in the paddock and stands. He met young Chinese racers and even handled duties for Ferrari during the chaotic post-race drama.
McLaren Takes the Spotlight as Disqualifications Redraw Podium
On the track, McLaren wrote their own story. Oscar Piastri, in only his third season, stunned everyone with his first pole position, then converted it into his third career victory. He wasn’t keeping it to himself—Lando Norris chased him home for an ultra-rare McLaren one-two finish. In a sport where every tenth counts, teamwork made this result a reality.
The real drama, though, exploded after the checkered flag. Scrutineers found Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine underweight, swiftly removing them from the results. If that wasn’t wild enough, Lewis Hamilton was also thrown out for issues with the rearward skid thickness on his car. These technical breaches don’t grab headlines like big crashes, but they sent shockwaves through the paddock and flipped the podium on its head.
The changes meant George Russell, who raced steadily all afternoon, suddenly found himself inheriting third place. Max Verstappen, who had struggled with tire management and pace all weekend, moved up to fourth. Esteban Ocon benefited too, grabbing fifth for Alpine after Gasly’s misfortune.
For those keeping score at home, McLaren’s performance catapulted the team’s stock and gave their fans a reason to celebrate. But it also sparked a new round of debates about F1’s technical regulations and how razor-thin margins can mean the difference between glory and disqualification. Teams will be double-checking every millimeter before the next race.
And Zhou Guanyu? Even though he wasn’t racing, the fact that crowds showed up and young fans vied for his attention proves the impact he’s had on Chinese motorsport isn’t fading any time soon.
