After a thrilling opening to the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix, the attention now shifts to Shanghai International Circuit.
The Chinese Grand Prix is set to take place from March 21-23. After finishing at the top of the podium at Albert Park, Lando Norris would be looking to replicate the feat in Shanghai.
However, the race in China is set to be stricter. Formula 1 teams will face more stringent rear wing flexibility tests from this weekend’s Grand Prix.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has announced that it has decided to implement a more stringent testing procedure for the rear wings of F1 cars, starting from the Chinese Grand Prix.
The decision came after a close monitoring of the on-track deformations exhibited by the Formula 1 cars during the season-opener in Australia.
Extra high-definition cameras were fitted to some cars to capture the images of the rear wings in action out on track during practice. Based on analysis of the footage that it captured, alongside static deformations measured inside the FIA garage in Melbourne, the FIA concluded it needed tougher tests on the upper rear wing immediately.
The FIA had already introduced tighter restrictions on rear wing flexibility for 2025, with the slot gap (distance between the mainplane and the flap of the rear wing) mandated to not vary by more than 2mm.
That limit has now been reduced to 0.5mm from Shanghai onwards.
The Formula 1 teams were given the notice of the tighter restrictions only on Monday after the Melbourne race. Therefore, a tolerance of 0.25mm will be added to the limit, theoretically making the actual figure 0.75mm for China-only. It will be 0.5mm thereafter.
The FIA clarified that all teams tested in Melbourne were found to comply with Article 3.15.17 and were deemed legal.
Also Read: The Australian Grand Prix 2025: McLaren Takes The Lead
Chinese Grand Prix Schedule
The 2025 Chinese F1 Grand Prix starts at 7 am UK time, 3:00 PM local time (GMT+8) in Shanghai on Sunday, March 23rd.
Friday, 21 March (UK time)
- First practice: 03:30-04:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, Sky Sports F1)
- Sprint qualifying: 07:30-08:14 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, Sky Sports F1)
Saturday, 22 March
- Sprint: 03:00-04:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds)
- Qualifying: 07:00-08:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds)
Sunday, 23 March
- Race: 07:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live coverage from 06:45, BBC Sounds)
