The Shanghai Grand Prix is back this weekend up in Jiading at the Shanghai International Circuit — the track shaped like the Chinese character 上. Tickets for the race have long since sold out.
Well, almost.
There is still one option available through Formula 1's official ticketing platform: a Paddock Club hospitality package starting at €15,047.90 per person, which includes access to a suite hosted by Gordon Ramsay and his team. We called the ticketing platform to confirm and yes, according to them, Ramsay himself is scheduled to be there.
All you need is the ticket, roughly 120,000rmb, and a quick sanctions check. Easy.
If that sounds a bit much, the rest of the city will still be watching the race from bars and parties around town — or, if you're feeling adventurous, from the second-hand market.
The Race
The main race takes place Sunday at 3pm, with the Sprint race on Saturday.
The sprint format — introduced to Shanghai last year — is a shorter, 100km race that awards up to eight championship points. The full Grand Prix on Sunday runs the usual 305km.
Full schedule for the weekend:
March 13
First Practice: 11.30am–12.30pm
Sprint Qualifying: 3.30–4.14pm
March 14
Sprint Race: 11am–12pm
Grand Prix Qualifying: 3–4pm
March 15
Race: 3pm
Tickets
Aside from the Gordon Ramsay hospitality packages, official tickets are gone.
On the resale market, though, they're everywhere. Scalpers on Xianyu are currently advertising tickets starting around 6,000rmb for Platform H and about 12,000rmb for Platform A.
Most promise authenticity with the standard "假一罚十" guarantee — meaning they'll compensate ten times the price if the ticket turns out to be fake. Still, buying second-hand comes with some risk.
All tickets are tied to real-name ID, which means you'll need to send your personal information to the seller in order to transfer the ticket. Ticket scalping is also technically illegal in China, so proceed accordingly.
Getting There
If you're heading up to the track, expect the trip to take about an hour from downtown.
The easiest option is Metro Line 11 to Shanghai Circuit Station, which drops you right next to the venue.
And if you don't have tickets, honestly, there's not much reason to go all the way out there. The circuit is pretty sealed off during race weekend and the surrounding area is mostly temporary booths and basic concessions. You're better off watching the race in the city.
Where to Watch the Race
If you're staying in the city, most sports bars will be showing the race Sunday afternoon.
We called around and confirmed that Parlay, The Shed, Home Field, and Grand Yard are all screening the race with no cover.
Cages is doing a viewing party with a 100rmb cover that includes two drinks.
Jing'an bar BNC is also putting together a race-day package with a Sunday carvery, free-flow drinks, and a pre-race quiz.
Parties
F1 weekend used to mean a lot of late-night chaos around Shanghai. These days it's a little more subdued, but there are still a few things happening.
Cages has an F1 Bingo Night on Thursday with prizes including tickets to Saturday's Sprint race.
Up in Pudong, Flair at the Ritz-Carlton is hosting F1-themed parties Friday through Sunday.
And Le Baron is doing two nights of F1 parties, including one featuring the official DJ from the Paddock Club on Saturday.
