F1 weather forecast for Chinese GP in Shanghai

The weather looks set to play only a minor role in determining the outcome of the Chinese Grand Prix, with stable, dry conditions expected throughout the second round of the F1 season at the Shanghai International Circuit.

While teams have experienced sunny and calm weather during the opening two days of running, Sunday’s race introduces slightly cooler temperatures and more cloud cover — though the threat of rain remains minimal.

Friday’s running began under clear skies, providing teams with ideal conditions to begin the first sprint weekend of the season. Sunshine dominated proceedings, and temperatures hovered around 12°C.

Those conditions largely continued into Saturday, when the sprint race and qualifying took place. Forecast highs reached the mid-to-high teens, with sunshine and a gentle breeze expected throughout the day — allowing teams to focus purely on performance rather than weather-related strategy.

With dry asphalt across both days, drivers have been able to build confidence on the resurfaced track and gather representative tyre data ahead of the 56-lap grand prix.

Race day itself should remain settled, though temperatures are expected to dip slightly compared to Saturday.

Sunday in Shanghai will feature sunny intervals and increased cloud cover, with temperatures peaking at around 14°C during the afternoon.

Wind speeds are expected to stay modest, with gusts generally below 16mph, meaning aerodynamic balance should not be significantly affected.

Crucially for teams and drivers, the probability of rain during the race window appears very low. While some forecasts note a small chance of precipitation later in the evening, the likelihood of rainfall affecting the grand prix itself remains minimal.

Cooler ambient temperatures could slightly limit thermal degradation compared to hotter races, potentially allowing teams to extend stints or reduce overheating concerns — particularly through Shanghai’s long-radius corners and heavy traction zones, with tyre degradation joining energy management and outright pace as key factors.