China, still an El Dorado for F1?

Due to its forced distance from F1 for five years and its exclusive policy vis-à-vis the United States in particular, China had not had the opportunity to measure the new popularity of the premier category on its territory. . Held in a sold-out crowd on Sunday, the Grand Prix demonstrated a clear revival of local interest, even if there is still a long way to go before we see the Middle Kingdom play a central role in the championship.

Published on 22/04/2024 à 18:12

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What common future for China and F1? © Paulo Maria / DPPI

Why did F1 wait 5 years before returning to China?

F1's last visit to Shanghai was a highly historic moment, since it was at the time the 1000th Grand Prix in the history of the Formula 1. A nice gift from the FOM to a country that it had set out to seduce. Except that since this extremely symbolic anniversary round won by Lewis Hamilton et Mercedes, 105 Grands Prix took place… but none on Chinese soil. The last time F1 took over the houses on stilts serving as hospitality facilities a stone's throw from the metropolis of Shanghai, Max Verstappen had no world championship titles, Lewis Hamilton only had five, Fernando Alonso was retired, Esteban Ocon simple Mercedes reservist, whileOscar piastri he simply repeated in Formula Renault Eurocup. VS