The 2004 Chinese Grand Prix was the first Formula One race ever held in China, inaugurating the Shanghai International Circuit on the F1 calendar.
Key Facts
- Race date
- 26 September 2004
- Circuit
- Shanghai International Circuit
- Race laps
- 56 laps
- Winner
- Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari)
- Championship round
- 16 of 18
- Pole position
- Rubens Barrichello
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Formula One's expansion into new markets led to an agreement to bring a Grand Prix to China. The Shanghai International Circuit was purpose-built to host the event, and the 2004 season calendar included it as Race 16 of 18, marking the sport's entry into one of the world's largest automotive markets.
On 26 September 2004, the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix was held at the Shanghai International Circuit. Rubens Barrichello started from pole and won the 56-lap race for Ferrari. Jenson Button finished second for BAR, and Kimi Räikkönen took third place for McLaren.
The race established China as a permanent fixture on the Formula One calendar. For Barrichello, it proved to be his final victory with Ferrari; he would not win again until the 2009 European Grand Prix, driving for Brawn GP, marking a five-year gap between his championship-winning team successes.