Grid locked: Shanghai secures five-year F1 extension

F1's return to China this year, following a five-year hiatus, drew 200,000 fans to Shanghai International Circuit. CHINA DAILY Formula One announced a five-year extension with the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday, ensuring the presence of Shanghai International Circuit on the calendar until the 2030 season. The extension comes after F1's triumphant return to China in 2024 following a five-year hiatus, which drew 200,000 enthusiastic fans to witness Max Verstappen's dual triumph in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. As one of the country's premier recurring international events, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has played a pivotal role in fostering the integrated growth of Shanghai's cultural, sports, and tourism sectors, yielding substantial economic advantages. During this year's Chinese Grand Prix, hotel reservations in Shanghai surged by 63 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, and propelled the Shanghai International Circuit to the fourth most popular attraction in the city on several domestic travel platforms.