Lewis Hamilton starts on pole position in a Ferrari for the first time in the 2025’s season’s opening Sprint race at 3am on Saturday morning in China – live on Sky Sports F1.
After a thrilling season-opener in Melbourne, F1 has headed straight to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix and the first of six Sprint weekends this year.
Against most expectations after a difficult debut in red, Hamilton majestically topped Sprint Qualifying on Friday to head the grid from old title rival Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in the lead McLaren.
Lando Norris, the early world championship leader, starts sixth in the other McLaren after a costly mistake of his final lap.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ride onboard with Lewis Hamilton as he took a sensational pole for the Sprint Qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Saturday morning’s Sprint at is a 19-lap race around the Shanghai International Circuit, with points on offer to the top-eight finishers. The 100km dash starts at 3am, with build-up from 2.25am
Qualifying to set the grid for Sunday’s main Grand Prix follows on Saturday morning at 7am.
The 56-lap Grand Prix itself is at 7am on Sunday, with build-up from 5.30am.
F1 Academy also begins its new season in Shanghai, so there will be plenty of racing on your screens this week.
Chinese GP track – Shanghai International Circuit
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The moment Sebastien Buemi had both his front tyres explode off his Toro Rosso car during practice at the 2010 Chinese Grand Prix
China joined the F1 calendar in 2004 and every race has been held at the Shanghai International Circuit, which is known for high tyre wear and long back straight where there is plenty of overtaking into the Turn 14 hairpin.
F1 returned to Shanghai for the first time in five years in 2024, as the event was absent due to the coronavirus pandemic, so there is little recent data for the teams compared to other tracks on the schedule.
The smooth track surface and long, high-speed corners means the car with the best aerodynamics will stand out.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Karun Chandhok takes a look at the unique track of Shanghai International Circuit
Chinese GP weather in Shanghai
The latest weather forecast for Shanghai shows no rain will affect any of the F1 or F1 Academy running across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It is set to be sunny all weekend with an air temperature of 23C at its peak during the afternoon and little wind.
Chinese GP 2025 dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule – practice, qualifying and race
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Shanghai International Circuit
Saturday March 22
- 2.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*
- 3am: Chinese GP Sprint*
- 5.45am: F1 Academy Race 1*
- 6.35am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
- 7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
- 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 23
- 2.40am: F1 Academy Race 2
- 5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
- 9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered flag*
- 10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the Chinese Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from the first and only practice session on Friday morning to the Chinese Grand Prix itself on Sunday, March 23 at 7am
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!
Not got Sky?
Stream: Non Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog
FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the Chinese GP on mobile with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports Subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Watch’ section at 5.30am for build-up, ahead of lights out at 7am
- Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD
What is NOW TV?
NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more.
It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free memberships options, so customers can cancel anytime!
You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. See the latest NOW TV membership prices.
More information about NOW can be found here.
The F1 circus heads straight to Shanghai this week for the first Sprint weekend of the season at the Chinese GP, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
