How to follow Chinese Grand Prix on the BBC

The Chinese Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar last year after a five-year absence caused by Covid-19 restrictions

Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season heads to the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix from 21-23 March.

China is the first of six sprint events this season, with Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar hosting the other five.

Tyre supplier Pirelli has chosen the C2 (white, hard), C3 (yellow, medium) and C4 (red, soft) compounds for the 56-lap race in Shanghai.

Sunday's race starts at 07:00 GMT.

McLaren's Lando Norris triumphed in an incident-packed Australian Grand Prix, beating world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell to take victory in treacherous conditions.

Lewis Hamilton finished 10th on his debut for Ferrari.

Session start times and BBC coverage

Commentary of the weekend's action will be available across BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

You can also listen via most smart speakers. All you need to do is say "ask BBC Sounds to play the Chinese Grand Prix", followed by the current session.

Make sure to download the Chequered Flag podcast, which previews and reviews every race of the season.

All times GMT.

Friday, 21 March

First practice - 03:30-04:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Sprint qualifying - 07:30-08:14 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Saturday, 22 March

Sprint - 03:00-04:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Qualifying - 07:00-08:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Sunday, 23 March

Race: 07:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live coverage from 06:45, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

What is the Chinese GP weather forecast?

The season-opener in Melbourne had hot and dry conditions for qualifying, followed by rainy chaos and cooler temperatures during the race.

For China, the early predictions suggest it will be warm and sunny across all three days of track running in Shanghai, with a high of 26 degrees for Sunday's grand prix and zero chance of rain.

How does the F1 sprint format work?

Max Verstappen won the sprint race and main grand prix in China last season

The format was tweaked in 2024 and remains the same for this season.

Qualifying for the 100km sprint races takes place on Friday following the one only practice session of the weekend.

On Saturday, the shorter race is held as the day's opening track action, before qualifying for the main grand prix begins in its usual spot.

Points are awarded for drivers finishing from first to eighth in the sprint race.