Zhao, a Shanghai-based F1 fan of 20 years, has followed Zhou since his early racing days, crafting his own fan merchandise and collecting replica helmets.

　　"He is a pioneer for Chinese F1, inspiring more people to engage with the sport," Zhao said.

　　The dedication of local fans like Xu and Zhao is just one part of the story.

　　F1's official data reveals its fan base in China has surpassed 221 million — with nearly 50 percent of fans being female, challenging the sport's male-dominated image.

　　Young people under 35 make up the majority, and over half of the sport's new followers have joined in the past five years.

China's growing F1 fan base brought the color to the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix over the weekend, with a record attendance of 230,000 spectators. F1's official data shows the country has exceeded 221 million fans, nearly 50 percent of which are female.[Photo/China Daily]

　　Records tumble

　　Meanwhile, the race set a new attendance record since its post-COVID resumption, drawing 230,000 fans over three days.

　　According to post-event statistics from Juss Sports, the operator of the event, ticket revenue increased by over 30 percent compared to last year, with approximately 16 percent of the audience being from overseas and 64 percent from other provinces and cities.

　　"It has been incredible to see a fantastic increase in the fan base in China in the last few years," said Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing.

　　"Not only did we see the fan base being much, much bigger than in the past, but we also saw an incredible transformation in that fan base.

　　"And we think it's only the beginning of the transformation."