2024 Chinese GP Schedule, Dates & Start Times

Alex Gassman
2024 Chinese GP Schedule

In 2024 the Chinese GP makes a return to the Formula 1 calendar on the 19th – 21st April at the Shanghai International Circuit

2024 Chinese Grand Prix dates

The 2024 Chinese Grand Prix weekend starts on Friday the 19th April and finishes on Sunday the 21st April. 

The Chinese GP takes place at Shanghai International Circuit and is the fifth race of the season.

The times listed below are provisional until the final calendar is released, and will be updated accordingly.

Chinese Grand Prix race weekend format

The 2024 Chinese GP will include a sprint race.

Below is the format and duration of the different F1 sessions during the Chinese GP weekend:

Friday 19th April:

  • Practice 1 (60 mins)
  • Sprint Qualifying (45 mins)

Saturday 20th April:

  • Sprint Race (100km)
  • Qualifying – Q1 / Q2 / Q3 (60 mins)

Saturday 21st:

  • Grand Prix (120 mins / 56 laps)

Chinese Grand Prix Schedule 2024

Below is the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix schedule for all F1 practice, qualifying, sprint and race sessions over the course of the weekend.

2024 Chinese Grand Prix F1 Schedule
Friday 19th April Local Time UK Time
Practice 1 11:30 - 12:30 04:30 - 05:30
Sprint Qualifying 15:30 - 16:15 08:30 - 09:15
Saturday 20th April
Sprint Race 11:00 - 12:00 04:00 - 05:00
Qualifying 15:00 - 16:00 08:00 - 09:00
Sunday 21st April
Grand Prix 15:00 08:00

2024 China F1 qualifying time

Qualifying for the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix will take place on Saturday 20th April at 15:00 (3pm) local circuit time.

Qualifying will be split in to three separate sessions called Q1, Q2 and Q3.

All 20 drivers will take part in Q1. Only the fastest 15 of those drivers will progress to Q2. Then, only the 10 fastest drivers from Q2 will move on to the last 10 minute shootout for pole position in Q3.

2024 Chinese GP start time

The 2024 Chinese GP will start at 15:00 (3pm) local time on Sunday 21st April

The Grand Prix will last for a maximum of 120 minutes or 56 laps, whichever is shorter.

What time is the Chinese F1 race in my country?

The Chinese Grand Prix takes place at Shanghai international Circuit. This is in the Chinese Standard Time zone (CST) which is GMT+8.

Below are the start times for all F1 sessions over the Chinese Formula 1 weekend in a number of other time zones.

Session China
(CST)
Pacific Time
(PT)
Central Time
(CT)
Eastern Time
(ET)
UK Time
(GMT)
European Time
(CEST)
Australia Eastern
Time
(AEDT)
Practice 1 11:30 - 19 Apr 20:30 (-1) 22:30 (-1) 23:30 (-1) 04:30 05:30 13:30
Sprint Qual 15:30 - 19 Apr 00:30 02:30 03:30 08:30 09:30 17:30
Spring Race 11:00 - 20 Apr 20:00 (-1) 22:00 (-1) 23:00 (-1) 04:00 05:00 13:00
Qualifying 15:00 - 20 Apr 00:00 02:00 03:00 08:00 09:00 03:00+1
Grand Prix 15:00 - 21 Apr 00:00 02:00 03:00 08:00 09:00 03:00+1

What channel is the Chinese GP on?

UK Formula 1 fans will be able to watch footage of the Chinese Grand Prix live on the Sky Sports F1 channel, but you need a paid subscription to do this. 

Pre-race build up usually begins about 60 to 90 minutes prior to the Grand Prix start time.

Race highlights will be available for free on Channel 4 on the evening on Sunday 21st April.

Information on TV coverage and broadcasters of the F1 internationally can be found on the official Formula 1 website.

Detailed Chinese F1 & motorsport schedule

As well as the Formula 1 there will be other support races hitting the track during the weekend.

For 2024 the support races are:

  • FIA Formula 4
  • Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Below is the full schedule for the weekend including all suport races. Times are in local circuit times.
Friday 19th April
09:25 - 09:50 FIA F4 Chinese Championship First Practice Session
10:00 - 11:00 Paddock Club Track Tour
10:00 - 11:00 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
10:00 - 11:00 FIA F1 Car Presentation
11:30 - 12:30 FORMULA 1 FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
13:00 - 13:45 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Practice Session
13:30 - 14:30 Formula 1 Teams' Press Conference
13:55 - 14:35 Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps
14:00 - 15:00 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
14:35 - 15:05 Paddock Club Track Tour
15:30 - 16:14 FORMULA 1 SPRINT QUALIFYING
17:00 - 17:25 FIA F4 Chinese Championship Second Practice Session
17:45 - 19:45 F1 Experiences Track Tour, Trophy Photo & Pit Lane Walk
Saturday 20th April
08:15 - 08:45 Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice
09:30 - 09:55 FIA F4 Chinese Championship Qualifying Session
11:00 - 11:30 FORMULA 1 SPRINT (19 Laps or 60 Mins)
11:30 - 12:00 Formula 1 Press Conference
11:40 - 12:10 Paddock Club Track Tour
11:40 - 12:40 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
12:10 - 12:35 Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps
12:50 - 13:20 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying Session
13:55 - 14:30 FIA F4 Chinese Championship First Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
15:00 - 16:00 FORMULA 1 QUALIFYING
16:00 - 17:00 Formula 1 Press Conference
16:55 - 17:30 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia First Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins)
17:40 - 18:40 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
17:40 - 18:40 Paddock Club Track Tour
Sunday 21st April
10:15 - 10:50 FIA F4 Chinese Championship Second Race (30 Mins +1 Lap)
11:30 - 12:05 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Second Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins)
12:20 - 12:50 Formula 1 Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps
12:55 - 13:25 Paddock Club Track Tour
12:55 - 13:55 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk
13:00 - 13:30 Formula 1 Drivers' Parade
14:46 - 14:48 Formula 1 National Anthem
15:00 - 17:00 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS OR 120 MINS)

Get my free weekly F1 roundup

I’ll send you a weekly email with my personal insights in to the latest F1 news and race results. 
Read by over 5,000 busy F1 fans each week.

Buy me a coffee

If you found my website useful in planning your next trip, feel free to buy me a coffee to say thanks. It helps keep me motivated to write more guides!

Alex Gassman

I‘m Alex. I write F1 and motorsport guides based on my experience as racing driver and full-time motorsport nerd. I’ve traveled the world watching F1 and other racing series.

I started oversteer48 with the aim of helping other motorsport fans who are planning on watching some racing themselves.

leave a comment

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Join the oversteer48 Inside Line

I’ll share all this with you (and more) for free:

  • Tips for getting hold of F1 tickets, even if they appear sold-out 
  • Updated travel guides and info in the run up to the big race weekends
  • Link you up with a huge community of F1 fans travelling to each race