by sportswriters Dong Yixing, Shen Nan and Hu Jiefei

SHANGHAI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Metro Line 11 rolled toward the Shanghai International Circuit wrapped in Lego F1 livery, carriages filled with fans in team jerseys and driver caps. Outside the station, hundreds gathered in a spontaneous merchandise exchange, holding handmade signs and trading freshly printed driver cards.

The 2026 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix had arrived, and so had the city.

Over the past weekend, more than 230,000 attendees packed the circuit, with ticket revenue jumping over 30 percent year-on-year and inbound and cross-provincial visitors accounting for a significant share. On social media, F1 and its drivers reached unprecedented levels of engagement and discussion.

The offline and online popularity marked a week of intense activity. From consumption and urban branding to related industries, the value of F1's presence in Shanghai is becoming evident across multiple dimensions, opening new possibilities for interaction between China and the sport.

This year, the enthusiasm extended beyond the circuit and into the city. A karting track was set up in North Bund, drawing long queues. A racing festival appeared on Nanjing Road, with long lines for simulator experiences. A giant screen at Gate M broadcasted the race's final moments live, with fans unable to secure tickets erupting in cheers. Commercial districts across Shanghai were linked in a wave of racing-related activities.

The demand for tickets reflected the heightened interest. Luo Qiqi, a long-time F1 fan from Guangdong, said, "A few years ago, I could pick my seat. This year, I waited for tickets to go on sale and couldn't even get one for Friday's practice sessions."

F1 Chinese GP attendance has grown steadily, from over 200,000 in 2024 to over 220,000 in 2025, and 230,000 this year.

Data from Juss Sports showed that this year, approximately 64 percent of attendees came from outside Shanghai, and 16 percent were international visitors. The event's economic impact was significant, with hotel bookings around the circuit surging and consumption across accommodation, dining, and retail sectors rising.

According to the 2025 Shanghai Sports Events Impact Assessment Report, the 2025 Chinese GP generated 2.47 billion yuan (344 million U.S. dollars) in direct economic impact and 6.91 billion yuan (962 million U.S. dollars) in indirect impact, both up over 75 percent year-on-year.

Following the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, several drivers arrived directly from Melbourne the next day. Over the following days, drivers stepped out of the paddock and engaged with the Chinese public in various settings. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc used a brush to write the Chinese calligraphy character "horse." In fan meetings, he said in Chinese, "Hello, I love China, thank you for your blessings."

Mercedes' George Russell opened a Douyin account, the Chinese version of TikTok, and practiced phrases like "Hello" and "I love Shanghai." Lewis Hamilton visited Jiuzhaigou and listed Zhangye and the Great Wall as places he wanted to see.

These interactions reflect F1's long-term strategy to deepen its presence in the Chinese market. When Liberty Media took over F1 in 2017, the sport faced a shrinking fan base and an aging audience. The new management adopted a fresh approach, breaking down content barriers and easing social media restrictions, which broadened F1's appeal to younger and more diverse audiences globally.

China's fast-growing market, with its active social media ecosystem and large new consumer base, provided fertile ground for F1's expansion.

In recent years, teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin have launched accounts on Chinese social media platforms, sharing behind-the-scenes content and race analysis. F1's official presence now spans Chinese platforms including Weibo, Douyin, and WeChat.

Last year, "F1: The Movie" grossed over 400 million yuan (58 million U.S. dollars) on the Chinese mainland, attracting new fans and setting the stage for broader appeal this year.

F1 officials have expressed confidence in the Chinese market. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Xinhua on the sidelines of the 2025 Chinese GP that Shanghai has great potential to develop F1 culture and motorsport in China, calling it "at the center of our calendar in the future."

Standard Chartered became F1's official banking partner this year in a multi-year deal. Jean Lu, CEO & Executive Vice Chair of Standard Chartered China, said, "The innovation, speed, resilience, and momentum that F1 represents align closely with China's unique role in global trade and investment."

After a 20-year partnership, the Chinese GP will remain on the F1 calendar through 2030 following a contract extension, ushering in a new phase of long-term cooperation. Adding to this momentum, the FIA announced ahead of the Chinese GP that the 2026 edition of the FIA Awards will be held in Shanghai for the first time.

Discussion on when a Chinese carmaker might enter F1 surfaced again before this year's Chinese GP, drawing attention from international media and sparking heated discussion on Chinese social media.

When F1 made its Shanghai debut in 2004, China was the world's third-largest auto consumer and fourth-largest producer. At that time, Chinese brands accounted for only 25 percent of passenger vehicle sales in China, with self-developed models making up just five percent.

By 2025, China's auto production and sales had grown exponentially, remaining the world's largest for 17 consecutive years. Chinese-brand passenger vehicles held a 69.5 percent market share in China. In recent years, Chinese electric vehicles have become a major force in the global new energy sector.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, whose company has returned to F1 in 2026 in collaboration with Red Bull Powertrains, said designing an F1 engine, particularly its software, has helped Ford gain a competitive edge against Chinese automakers. "These are the essence of the new software-defined vehicle globally to beat China, and they are really good," he told Bloomberg.

Since its inception, F1 has represented both elite motorsport and a technological frontier for the global auto industry. Cutting-edge developments in powertrains, materials, and aerodynamics are tested under extreme conditions, driving improvements in production vehicle performance and safety. Automakers also use top-tier competition to build brand value and international recognition.

This season, F1 introduced significant rule changes in power unit design, aerodynamics, and car dimensions. The electric motor's power output is now nearly equal to that of the internal combustion engine, reflecting the auto industry's electrification trend.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told South China Morning Post in 2025 that "If there is a Chinese bid I will speak on behalf of F1 management now, they will agree on that because it is good for business."

Zhou Guanyu, China's first F1 race driver who now serves as Cadillac's reserve, expressed cautious optimism.

"You need to have the right passion to get into F1 and the first few years is going to be difficult," Zhou told Xinhua. "But I hope [Chinese carmakers] have as much passion as I do, get into this business, and we can have a different story together."

"It's probably only the beginning of F1 falling in love with China. We have only started to see that and in the last few years it has been quite impressive," added Flavio Briatore, executive advisor to the Alpine F1 team. ■