Checkered Flag Carnival brings entertainment, excitement ahead of Chinese Grand Prix

This year's Checkered Flag Carnival — 2026 Formula One Heineken Chinese Grand Prix's flagship festival — officially kicked off on Sunday with an opening ceremony in Shanghai's Xuhui district, marking the beginning of an eight-day citywide celebration of motorsport culture.

Now in its third year, the carnival has expanded to a new model, linking four major urban landmarks: West Bund in Xuhui district, Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading, the North Bund in Hongkou, and the Baoshan riverfront.

"Compared to last year's dual-venue approach, we've upgraded to four venues this year," Jiang Yunying, general manager of Shanghai Juce Culture and Media, said. "Our aim is to create a citywide interactive experience, expanding our influence and allowing more people to connect with motorsport culture."

Last year's event attracted over 279,000 participants between its two locations. "This year, we're pushing for deeper integration of culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions throughout the city," Jiang added.

A highlight of the carnival is a collection book featuring a cartoon image of China's first Formula 1 driver, Zhou Guanyu. This collection book enables participants to connect activities across all four venues while offering over 150 exclusive deals at more than 20 shopping areas throughout Shanghai, covering dining, retail, and entertainment services.

The West Bund area — serving as both the opening ceremony site and a core venue — has been transformed into an immersive motorsport cultural experience, featuring race broadcasts, themed exhibitions, stage performances, interactive games, automotive displays, and commercial showcases.

A standout attraction at the West Bund is the "Finding Zhou Guanyu" exhibition, which provides a panoramic view of the Chinese F1 driver's career journey. The venue also features a classic car exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Shanghai auto museum.

"It's my first time experiencing an event like this. It's massive with numerous activities, minigames, and opportunities to see beautiful cars that are impossible to spot on streets nowadays," Julia Janiak, a visitor from Poland, said. "After the F1 movie from last year, I believe everyone has become an F1 fan. There's a good chance we'll watch F1 races after experiencing this carnival."

Meanwhile, the Baoshan riverside venue showcases installations — including a massive racing helmet and large inflatable structures — creating visually striking racing landmarks.

As the Xuhui and Baoshan venues launch the festivities, the remaining two venues will be available on March 13. The North Bund in Hongkou will offer riverside go-kart experiences and partner with nearby businesses to operate on a 24-hour basis for three consecutive days.

The water plaza at the Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading will focus on the core racing experience, opening to coincide with the F1 Chinese Grand Prix. This venue will center on professional racing culture, hosting an automotive cultural festival and live performances that blend engine roars with musical rhythms.

This year's event also introduces themed custom ferry services connecting the riverside venues in Xuhui and Hongkou, further enhancing the interconnected experience across different parts of the city.

"We want to attract more audiences and citizens to engage with and develop an appreciation for racing — cultivating future generations of motorsport enthusiasts while showcasing Shanghai's dynamic urban character," Jiang said.