A driving force

The Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, held from March 21 to 23, concluded with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris securing first and second place, respectively, while Mercedes' George Russell claimed third.

With one-sixteenth Chinese heritage, Piastri expressed his appreciation for the local crowd, describing the fans this weekend as "exceptional". "There's a few too many Lewis Hamilton fans, but that's OK. We'll convert some of you next year," the Australian said.

"The support has been incredible this year, I have really enjoyed it," added Piastri, who also claimed his first Grand Prix pole on Saturday.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was surprised by the enthusiastic fans in the grandstands, and joked that they were the reason he posted a record-breaking time during Sprint Qualifying on March 21.

"The crowd has always been amazing here for me. I've had so much great support every year I've come to China. Since the really early days," said Hamilton.

"You get to see them from the moment you land to the moment you leave; they're with you throughout the weekend, they ride the ups and downs with you. I'm really grateful."

He further explained that Shanghai has always been really good to him, ever since his first race in the city back in 2007. "It's a track that I really do love driving on. It's got so many great challenges throughout. It's one of the best tracks that they've built over the last couple of decades."

Since its inception in 2004, the Chinese Grand Prix has steadily increased its influence both domestically and internationally.

Stefano Domenicali, Formula One president and CEO, said: "Shanghai has incredible potential to develop the culture of F1 and motor sports in China."

He told Xinhua: "Shanghai and China will be, for sure, at the center of our calendar in the future."

Economic surge

Looking back at the past weekend, the consensus is that the large fan base has provided tremendous enthusiasm and support for the event.

Over 200,000 racing enthusiasts attended the event in Shanghai's Jiading district. According to the data unveiled by Shanghai Juss Sports Development Group, 15.25 percent of attendees were from overseas, with 60 percent specifically traveling to Shanghai from abroad to watch the race, marking a 100 percent increase from last year.

"One of the reasons we picked Shanghai was for the sprint race, which I think, as a fan, gives us much more. Because, other than that one practice, everything means something," said Gary Furness, who came to the event with his wife from California in the United States.

As big fans of Red Bull driver and four-time defending world champion Max Verstappen, the couple have attended the Grands Prix in Canada and the US.

"It's very impressive looking at the grandstands compared to the other Grands Prix we've gone to," Furness said. "The atmosphere at the Shanghai F1 race is fantastic, with enthusiastic fans and excellent event organization."

Michele Banks, who hails from Melbourne, Australia, hurried to China with her husband immediately after watching the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16. "The Shanghai F1 race circuit is larger and more directional than Melbourne's. The weather is nice too," said Banks.

Banks has been an F1 fan since 1997, when she met her husband, and has attended races in Japan, Singapore, the US and the UK. In addition to Shanghai's bigger circuit and friendly people, she also appreciates the city's landscape and culture.

Alongside the influx of international fans drawn to the city, Chinese fans are increasingly emerging as a significant factor in F1 globally.

This is backed by data released by Nielsen Sports on Wednesday, revealing that Formula One gained nearly 90 million new fans globally last year, with China exhibiting a 39 percent increase, the highest in the world.

Based on F1 statistics, TV viewership surged by 35 percent in 2024, attracting over 100 million unique viewers. Concurrently, social media followers across various Chinese platforms have exceeded 4.3 million, as reported by Xinhua.

Pan Xiang, who manages a fan contact group for McLaren, agreed with the findings, stating that the membership of his fan group has increased from dozens to 500 since his initial visit to Shanghai to watch F1 in 2006. He noted: "I am witnessing more and more F1 enthusiasts who are eager to attend the Shanghai Grand Prix in person. This is the exact scenario I envisioned when I established the fan group."

Apart from the increasing influence in China of the event itself, notable figures have also made a significant effort to tap into the Chinese market.

As the first Chinese F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu, returning to his hometown circuit this year as only a reserve driver for Ferrari, continues to be a prominent figure due to his historic appearance on the Shanghai track last year.

Domenicali commented that Zhou's move to Ferrari has further bolstered F1's commercial appeal in the country. Having worked with Zhou during his Ferrari Academy days, Domenicali praised the 25-year-old as a "credible ambassador", highlighting that his "Chinese connection will enhance our presence in this market".

Although Zhou narrowly missed out on points in last year's Shanghai sprint while racing for Sauber, Domenicali emphasized that Zhou's emotional home debut in Shanghai symbolized China's growing influence. He said "his voice carries weight here", indicating plans for further collaboration to maximize Zhou's impact.