After an exciting opener in Melbourne, F1 heads to Shanghai for the season’s first Sprint event. Lando Norris held off Max Verstappen to secure a thrilling finish last weekend in Australia. Can he challenge the reigning champion again and secure back-to-back victories this weekend? Our F1 Chinese Grand Prix predictions article previews this contest.
Shanghai hosts the first Sprint weekend of the F1 season. Sprint Qualifying will take place on Friday, the 21st, with the Sprint Race on Saturday morning. Grand Prix qualifying will take place on Saturday afternoon before Sunday’s main race on 23rd March.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2025 Formula One World Championships, F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2025 |
| 🛣 Venue: | Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China |
| 🗓️ Dates: | 21-22 March (Practice & Qualifying) – Sunday, 23rd March (Main Race) |
| ⏰ Time: | 07:00 GMT on Sunday (Main Race) |
The Shanghai International Circuit is a 5.4km track renowned for its acceleration shifts within long, winding corners. Built on marshland, it remains stable on 40,000 stone pillars. The first corner, exceptionally long, demands high-speed entry before a precise racing line shift. Drivers struggle for traction downhill into Turn 2, then brake heavily at Turn 6. This requires precision before launching into high-speed sections.
The Chinese GP was halted for four seasons before last year, which Max Verstappen won.
Before revealing our Formula 1 Shanghai GP predictions 2025 for this event, let’s see how 2025 Formula One bookies rate the chances of top contenders to win in China.
Lando Norris tops the latest Formula 1 Chinese GP 2025 odds for favorites to win another one based on his excellent performance last weekend. Norris dominated Melbourne, converting pole to victory despite wet conditions, three safety cars, and late pressure from Verstappen. His composure after a mid-race off-track moment highlighted his skill. This win ended Verstappen’s 1,029-day reign atop the standings. Norris finished second in last year’s Chinese Grand Prix and will aim for his first Shanghai triumph to strengthen his title bid.
Piastri’s performance last week can best be described as a missed opportunity after starting second and running behind Norris. A lap 44 spin in the rain dropped him to 13th, but he recovered to finish ninth. His only Chinese GP appearance in 2024 saw him place eighth. With undeniable pace in Melbourne and McLaren’s strong form, Piastri is poised to challenge for victory in Shanghai on Sunday.
Despite Red Bull’s struggles in Melbourne, Verstappen’s racecraft remains exceptional, adapting seamlessly to changing conditions. Shanghai’s long straights favor Red Bull’s top speed, and dry conditions could help him challenge McLaren. The reigning champion converted pole to victory last year, proving his mastery of the Shanghai track. With these factors in play, Verstappen looks poised to secure his first F1 race win of the season on Sunday.
Leclerc endured a tough Melbourne race, qualifying seventh before spinning in wet conditions and finishing eighth. Ferrari’s poor strategy and communication issues cost them despite a strong pre-season pace. Leclerc’s qualifying speed could shine in Shanghai, where he’s historically quick, but Ferrari must improve race-day execution. His victory is a long shot but could be a dark horse if his team makes swift adjustments.
George Russell, one of seven race winners last season, triumphed in Las Vegas and Austria. He capitalized on Melbourne’s chaos, securing third after Piastri’s spin. Starting fourth, he handled wet conditions well, aided by Mercedes’ strategy. Their resilience in Australia suggests progress, but Shanghai’s high-speed sections may expose their pace deficit to McLaren and Red Bull. Russell is the least favorite on most betting apps for racing to triumph among the top 5 drivers.
Here are our 2025 F1 Chinese GP betting tips:
0
(100%) 1
Lando Norris enters the Chinese Grand Prix full of confidence after his stunning Melbourne victory. The championship leader finished second in China last year, 13 seconds behind Verstappen, before McLaren’s major upgrade. He led most of the 58 laps in Australia, showcasing McLaren’s improved pace. With strong tire management and top straight-line speed, Shanghai’s layout suits them well. If Norris delivers another strong qualifying, he’s well-positioned to secure his first Shanghai win and extend his championship lead.
1 (100%)
0
For our next 2025 Formula 1 Australia GP betting tips, we expect Lewis Hamilton to get a podium finish in Shanghai. Despite a quiet 10th-place finish in Melbourne, Hamilton’s record and Shanghai’s layout favor a podium return. His struggles stemmed from a Q2 spin and Ferrari’s wet-weather issues, not a lack of pace. The six-time Shanghai winner also boasts nine podiums in 17 Chinese Grand Prixs. With experience and track familiarity, Hamilton is well-positioned to at least get a podium finish on Sunday.
1 (100%)
0
After an impressive rookie performance in Melbourne, Kimi Antonelli is poised for another top-six finish in Shanghai. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver showcased remarkable skill, climbing from 16th to fourth. His P4 finish made him the highest-placed rookie, helping Mercedes tie McLaren atop the Constructors’ standings. Antonelli outperformed veterans like Leclerc and Hamilton, proving his talent. Given his adaptability, another top-six finish in China seems highly likely.
Our 2025 Formula 1 Chinese betting picks are:
McLaren demonstrated their impressive pace in the season opener. We expect to see a repeat of that performance in Shanghai as Norris looks to make it two out of two races in China. Leverage our tips to bet on the F1 Australia Grand Prix 2025 and win extra cash.
