Chinese Grand Prix 2025 Betting Preview

Formula 1 shifts from Melbourne to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix 2025. Defending world champion Max Verstappen, runner-up at the recent Australian GP will be among those gunning for glory on Jiading’s Shanghai International Circuit.

Watch out for Williams driver Alex Albon, who surprisingly out-qualified the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth Down Under.

The F1 weekend offers a plethora of betting opportunities, which includes the first sprint race of the year. Read on to learn about the second event on the 2025 F1 calendar.

What to Know About the Chinese Grand Prix 2025

Lando Norris won the madcap wet-dry F1 opener in Australia, one of only 14 drivers to cross the finish line last week behind the wheel of a much superior McLaren this season.

Yet McLaren will be one of the teams most affected by new FIA regulations, a stricter test to counter the mini-DRS effect of rear wing flexibility. This will be applied in Shanghai and for the rest of the season.

Hamilton should be sharper than his Ferrari debut Down Under. He has a record six victories along the high-speed long straights and heavy braking zones on the Shanghai International Circuit. The Brit triumphed at the Chinese GP 2019, with the event suspended until last year when Verstappen won.

Verstappen bagged Red Bull Racing’s 100th pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix 2020 courtesy of a qualifying lap of 1:33.660.

Precise handling is required during the initial four tight and twisty corners, followed
by a demanding combination of medium- and high-speed corners. The final sector sets the scene for potential overtaking manoeuvres, as drivers can go full throttle down the 1.2km straight before negotiating the final three corners.

There’s tons of betting action before the main race, with a practice session and sprint race qualifying on day one, plus the sprint race and qualifying on day two.

How to Place Bets on the 2025 Chinese GP

A wager on a driver or team as an outright winner and for a top-six finish are popular Formula 1 bets. A cautious flutter is to back a driver for a podium finish, although the odds will not be as generous.

Knowledge is key for sports betting, such as backing McLaren to set the fastest lap and Red Bull Racing to produce the quickest pit stop. F1 fans can also contemplate a potentially high odds pre-set accumulator for the fastest qualifier, quickest lap and the race winner.

Odds and Predictions for China's F1 Race 2025

Drivers have more opportunities to score points as it's a sprint race weekend. The Shanghai International Circuit has long straights and even longer corners, which allows drivers to hit very high speeds and make aggressive overtaking manoeuvres.

McLaren possesses the fastest car with the strong driving duo of Norris and Oscar Piastri. While it will be intriguing to see if Mercedes’ 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who was fourth in Australia on his debut, can again make an impact.

Traditionally, the track has been very hard on the left front tyre, caused by the circuit’s kerbs, which are comprised of artificial grass, asphalt, and gravel. Teams will probably opt for one or two pit stops like last year.

Let’s take a closer look at the Chinese GP betting odds and some Chinese F1 betting tips:

Chinese Formula 1 Predictions

• Odds For Winner
  Verstappen is used to reigning supreme at most tracks and triumphed at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix. A podium finish is not enough in Shanghai; he wants to win.
  Max Verstappen: 3.50
  Lando Norris: 3.60

• Odds for Podium Finish
  Norris and Verstappen are expected to dominate the Chinese Grand Prix 2025, while it will be fascinating to see if Italians Albon and Antonelli can improve on their excellent showings Down Under.
  Lando Norris: 1.50
  Max Verstappen: 1.53
  George Russell: 1.83
  Charles Leclerc: 2.00
  Kimi Antonelli: 2.25
  Oscar Piastri: 2.45
  Lewis Hamilton: 2.50
  Alex Albon: 2.50

• Odds for Race Winner & Double Podium
  Mercedes’ George Russell joined Norris and Verstappen on the podium in Australia to pip the Italian duo of Antonelli and Albon. A strong showing from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg eclipsed Piastri and the Ferrari pair. There are big names that offer attractive odds for this bet, but it’s best to look at the starting grid following qualifying before you lay out any money.
  Lando Norris to win, Alex Albon & Max Verstappen on podium: 8.50
  Max Verstappen to win, George Russell & Lance Stroll on podium: 9.00
  George Russell to win, Lando Norris & Kimi Antonelli on the podium: 13.50

• Odds for Sprint Race Winner
  It should be a straightforward shoot-out between Norris, Piastri and Verstappen over 19 laps for the season’s first sprint race.
  Lando Norris: 3.00
  Max Verstappen: 4.33
  Oscar Piastri: 6.50

• Fastest Lap
  Lando Norris: 11.00

• First To Retire
  Nico Hulkenberg: 22.00

• Most Team Points
  McLaren: 1.40

• Practice 1 Winning Car
  Verstappen/Red Bull Racing: 4.50

• Odds for a Top Ten Finish
  Kimi Antonelli: 2.10
  Alex Albon: 2.75
  Jack Doohan: 5.00

• Safety Car
  Yes: 1.33
  No: 3.25

• Odds for a Top Six Finish
  Lance Stroll: 4.00
  Nico Hulkenberg: 5.25
  Pierre Gasly: 13.00
  Yuki Tsunoda: 19.00
  Esteban Ocon: 22.00

• Winning Margin
  Over 0.2 seconds: 2.10

• Number of Classified Finishers
  Over 18.5: 1.83

Top Betting Markets for the Chinese Grand Prix 2025

Formula 1 offers a vast selection of betting opportunities with popular punts for each race like the outright winner, the fastest lap and a podium finish. The winner of the sprint race and the F1 Chinese GP race winner are flutters on who takes the chequered flag to finish first.

Wagers on the fastest lap during the sprint and main race are ideal for in-play betting. It is worth considering live betting for the Shanghai event, with many F1 teams opting for two pit stops, and by following the action, you can always try to predict the fastest pit stop for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Watching the Chinese GP 2025 from South Africa

Formula 1 fans in South Africa can tune into the high-octane live action from the Chinese GP 2025 with SuperSport for the sprint race, qualifying session and main race.

F1 TV Pro also provides in-depth coverage throughout the season. This subscription service has access to on-board car cameras and team radio communication and streams each live F1 race.

When is the Chinese Grand Prix 2025 Scheduled?

South African Formula 1 fans can follow the thrills ‘n’ spills from Shanghai over three days. The Chinese Grand Prix 2025 is due to begin on Friday, 21 March, with practice (5.30am South African time) and sprint race qualifying (9.30am). The sprint race (5am) and qualifying (9am) are scheduled for Saturday, 22 March, with the main race set to start at 9 am on Sunday, 23 March.

Tips for Betting on the Chinese Grand Prix 2025

It’s best to follow how the drivers and cars perform during practice, qualifying and the sprint race before you consider a big bet on the F1 Chinese GP race result. Versatile Verstappen excelled on the Shanghai International Circuit last year, and was impressive in last week’s opening race in Australia.

It is only worth scrutinising the driver records for last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, as there was no race held in Shanghai between 2020-2023. Look at the driver’s defending and overtaking skills, as well as where they finished in comparison to their starting grid position, before you place a punt.

Can You Bet During the Race?

There are plenty of live betting markets for the Chinese Grand Prix 2025 to have a bet on, such as fastest lap, quickest pit stop and a podium finish.

Ahead of the main race, you get two days to determine when it’s best to stake a wager, but you should ensure your account is easily accessible.

Keep an eye on the F1 action and look out for any substantial shifts in odds during the practice session, the sprint race, qualifying and the main race as you try to get the edge over the bookmaker.

The Chinese Grand Prix is always a flat-out battle because the state-of-the-art Shanghai International Circuit offers drivers power, tight cornering manoeuvres and significant G-force for Turns 7 and 8.

In-play betting suits this race because of the excellent overtaking opportunities on the 1.2km long straight and the potential tyre damage from misjudging the kerbs.

There is a wide array of betting options for the Chinese GP 2025 weekend as 20 drivers battle it out for precious points in both the sprint race and the main race.