Chinese Grand Prix 2016
The drivers face the press ahead of the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix Getty

The F1 juggernaut has moved from the Middle East to East Asia, to the circuit where Mercedes registered their first ever win following their return as constructors. The Shanghai International Circuit holds fond memories for Nico Rosberg, who is currently leading the drivers' world championship.

Lewis Hamilton has not had the cleanest of races in the opening two Grand Prix and is currently 17 points behind his teammate, to add to the problems, the reigning world champion has been handed a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox.

The Ferrari's were expected to be challenging the Mercedes team, but reliability issues have seen them struggle to mount a proper challenge. The opening race saw Sebastian Vettel lead for most of the way, before a strategy call robbed him off the win, while Kimi Raikkonen suffered car trouble. The second race was vice versa, as the Finn finished second and his teammate suffered an engine failure in the opening lap. The Maranello-based team will hope to have sorted their issues and mount a genuine challenge during the race on 17 April.

Where to watch live

The first practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix starts at 3am BST, with Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports F1 HD providing live coverage in the UK.

Real-time internet updates are available on the Live Timing section of the sport's official website.

Live coverage of the second practice session starts at 7am BST.

Track Facts

  • Circuit name: Shanghai International Circuit
  • First F1 Race: 2004
  • Circuit length: 5.451kms
  • Number of laps: 56
  • Race distance: 305.066 km
  • Lap record: 1:32.239 M Schumacher (2004)
  • Most wins: Lewis Hamilton (4)
  • 2015 winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
  • 2015 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Drivers' Championship review

Nico Rosberg is ahead in the Drivers' Championship after two wins in the first two races, with reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton in second place. Daniel Ricciardo maintains his position in third with yet another fine drive at the Bahrain International circuit, while Kimi Raikkonen has moved up to fourth place owing to his second place at the desert circuit.

Romain Grosjean continued his impressive start to the season for debutant Haas Racing team bettering his sixth place from the season opening race to finish fifth in Bahrain. He is in fifth place, ahead of the second Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel, who had an engine failure on the warm up lap in the previous race.

Constructors' Championship review

The Mercedes team is comfortably ahead after the first two races and lead Ferrari by 50 points, but the battle behind them is very tight at the moment with Red Bull Racing, who expected to start the season off the pace just three points behind the Maranello-based team.

Williams is in fourth place after a mediocre showing in the first two races, but Haas are already in fifth place, ahead of more experienced teams such as Force India, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Renault.