Five years since the last Chinese Grand Prix: What has changed?

It has been a while since F1 has visited China for a Grand Prix. From 2020 to 2023, the Shangai International Circuit was closed due to ongoing COVID-19 measures. Five years ago today, 14 April 2019, the Chinese Grand Prix was last completed. We take a small step back in time.

It was a special race in China. It was the 1,000th race in Formula 1 history. Five teams were in the top ten on the grid. Valtteri Bottas claimed his seventh pole in a lap that was just 23 thousandths faster than his teammate, then five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen was fifth. The Ferrari drivers, along with Renault and Haas, completed the top ten.

In the end, Lewis Hamilton won. It was his second of the season. Bottas failed to convert his pole into a win and finished second. Sebastian Vettel finished third. After spinning on the formation lap, Max Verstappen was fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc. Pierre Gasly, in a Red Bull, finished sixth and still managed to secure the fastest race lap by pitting just before the end of the race. Lando Norris, driving his third race in F1, along with Nico Hülkenberg and Daniil Kvyat, dropped out due to damage and engine problems.

It was the third race for Lando Norris, George Russell, and Alexander Albon, who were all in their rookie seasons. Max Verstappen had won just five races at the time. Since then, 52 wins have been added, around half of all races run. Oliver Bearman was still only 13 years old and still driving karts. Fernando Alonso was in his 'F1 retirement' period.