The inaugural Chinese Grand Prix took place at Shanghai International Circuit in September 2004. The new facility with its massive main grandstands, amazing media facilities and unparalleled team facilities set a new standard that other race circuits must now aspire to.

The facility has enough room around the circuit to host 200,000 spectators, including more than 29,000 in the grandstand opposite the pits. The facilities reached new heights in Shanghai, even if the circuit itself is rather on the dull side.

Rubens Barrichello scorched to Pole Position in 2004 while Michael Schumacher spun his Ferrari on his qualifying lap and started the race from the back of the grid.

Barrichello could not be denied the race win as the Brazilian crossed the line ahead of Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen, but the story of the race was of Michael Schumacher who actually finished out of the points for just the fifth time in his career with 12th position after a catalogue of rare mistakes.

Hosting the finale of the 2005 season, China's second Grand Prix proved to be a scrappy affair. Champion-elect Fernando Alonso strolled to a comfortable win to give Renault its first constructors' title while Kimi Raikkonen took the runner-up spot after being held up for much of the race by a tactical Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Renault.

Juan Pablo Montoya was minding his own business and running just ahead of his team-mate when inexplicably he struck a drain cover that had worked lose. The impact was enough to force the McLaren driver to retire the car. A late race drive through penalty for Fisichella promoted Ralf Schumacher to the lower step of the podium.