Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff has highlighted China as a key market for the sport, emphasising its growing fanbase and the significance of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Speaking to Xinhua News Agency, Wolff expressed his enthusiasm for his Mercedes team's deepening ties with China and his appreciation for the Shanghai International Circuit: "The track is state-of-the-art, and the facilities are top-notch. Shanghai is a fantastic city, and every visit is met with a positive feeling."
The Austrian also acknowledged the remarkable transformation of Formula 1's presence in China over recent years: "Once a sport with limited interest in the country, recent years have seen its popularity soar."
He attributed much of this growth to a younger demographic, suggesting that this trend bodes well for the future of motorsport in the region.
Formula 1 fans in China are estimated to be around 150-million
According to official Formula 1 statistics, the number of F1 fans in China is estimated to exceed 150 million, with over half having started following the sport in the past four years. F1's online fanbase in the country has reached 4.4 million, with more than one million new followers added in 2024 alone.
The 2025 Formula 1 season will feature 24 Grands Prix, opening with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 16 March. The race in Shanghai will be the second round of the season on 23 March and will also host the year's first F1 Sprint event, along with the opening round of the female-only F1 Academy series.
Wolff added: "Having a sprint race means there are [races] on both Saturday and Sunday, which is exciting for local spectators and young audiences. I am really looking forward to meeting the fans in China."
This year the Chinese Grand Prix returns to the F1 calendar after a five-year absence and is now set to remain on it until at least 2030, with expectations high for a strong turnout and continued growth in the region's motorsport enthusiasm.
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