The Formula One grid returns to Shanghai this weekend for the first Chinese Grand Prix in five years and the first Sprint weekend of the 2024 season.

The Shanghai International Circuit had been serving up thrilling races prior to its hiatus, which were caused by COVID-19 complications.

Lewis Hamilton steered home a Mercedes one-two during the last edition in 2019, with plans for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 races all scrapped.

The Silver Arrows would badly wish for something similar again following a horrendous start to the season.

Hamilton and teammate George Russell's combined points after four rounds are a whopping 40 adrift of leader Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman claimed his third win from the opening four races in Japan to lead his own teammate Sergio Perez in the standings.

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F1 officials have chosen China as the venue for the first of its six Sprint events in 2024, a decision questioned by a lot of the drivers due to the lengthy absence and subsequent unfamiliarity with the track.

Chinese Grand Prix: Date and UK start time 

The race weekend at Shanghai International Circuit will take place from Friday, April 19 until Sunday, April 21. 

Practice One gets things underway at 4:30am UK time on Friday before Sprint qualifying is scheduled to start at 8:30am. 

The Sprint Race then takes place at 4am on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix which starts at 8am.

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Light's Out for the Chinese GP is at 8am UK time on Sunday. 

Chinese Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream 

The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. 

Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 7am UK time on Sunday.

Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £11.98 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.

Fern Buckley will also have updates on the Chinese Grand Prix live on talkSPORT. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Chinese Grand Prix: Results

Qualifying

• 1) Verstappen
• 2) Perez
• 3) Alonso
• 4) Norris
• 5) Piastri
• 6) Leclerc
• 7) Sainz
• 8) Russell
• 9) Hulkenberg
• 10) Bottas

Sprint Race

• 1) Verstappen
• 2) Hamilton
• 3) Perez
• 4) Leclerc
• 5) Sainz
• 6) Norris
• 7) Piastri
• 8) Russell
• 9) Zhou
• 10) Magnussen
• 11) Ricciardo
• 12) Bottas
• 13) Ocon
• 14) Stroll
• 15) Gasly
• 16) Tsunoda
• 17) Albon
• 18) Sargeant
• 19) Hulkenberg

Retired: Alonso

Chinese Grand Prix: What has been said?

Verstappen said: “I think after the sprint race it gave us a few more ideas about the car and I think the car worked even better in qualifying now, so definitely very happy with how qualifying went, the car was really nice to drive.

“That final lap in Q3 felt really decent and also very happy to drive here as well in the dry, the conditions were pretty good and it was a lot of fun.”

Sergio Perez added: "It was very intense. I nearly got knocked out in Q1 because of traffic. I just made it through. Q2 I could get some rhythm into the balance, unfortunately in the end it was just not enough to get Max but overall a tremendous result.

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