Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Tuesday September 21, 6:53 PM
Formula One teams settle in to Shanghai circuit ahead of Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix
Formula One's ten teams settled into Shanghai's brand-new racing circuit on Tuesday following the arrival of 32 cars ahead of the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Protected by colorful covers, the multimillion were lifted delicately into team garages by forklifts along the US$240 million (euro 197 million) Shanghai International Circuit's pit lane. The arrivals marked yet another milestone for organizers following nearly two years of flat-out work for the Sunday event.
"The preparation enters its final stage," circuit General Manager Mao Xiaohan said.
The Grand Prix marks China's first foray into the international glamor sport. That has generated massive civic pride in the country's largest, wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city, already home to a thriving auto industry and the country's tallest building.
The Grand Prix, which Shanghai will host until at least 2010, adds to a string of top-tier sports events staged by China, including professional tennis and figure skating, in a quest for prestige to match its rising economic and political clout.
Drivers, including this season's champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari, were to begin arriving on Tuesday.
In remarks prior to his arrival, Schumacher said he wasn't concerned that other drivers might have had a chance to try out the track before him.
"Only after having run the first few laps on Friday will we discover what it is really like," the German was quoted as saying by the Web site Motorsport.com.
Meanwhile, Williams BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya spent part of Monday celebrating his birthday at the Great Wall outside Beijing.
The race is also expected to see the return of Ralf Schumacher, Michael's brother, to Williams following a six-race absence after crashing into a wall at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis in June.
Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will also be returning with Renault after being without a ride all season. The Canadian replaces Jarno Trulli, who left to join Toyota.
Teams have scheduled a parade of flashy promotional events to maximize the publicity value of their entry into what F1 is hailing as its most promising new market of 1.3 billion car-crazy potential fans.
"China is a big market for everyone. For Honda it's a huge market," said Alistair Watkins, marketing director for the BAR-Honda team who are running second behind Ferrari on the constructors table, just three points ahead of Renault.
Watkins spoke at the launch of a BAR-Honda extravaganza at the ultra-trendy Xintiandi nightlife spot, featuring a laser show, bands, and 500,000 yuan (US$61,000; euro 50,000) worth of fireworks.
However, along with several other teams, BAR-Honda has been forced to rework their promotional materials to conform with China's ban on tobacco advertising.
While actual race cars will still carry cigarette logos, they are banned from advertising hoardings at the track and even from materials placed in team VIP rooms, according to a spokesman at the State Sports General Administration, who gave only his surname, Chen.
Organizers say they've sold all 150,000 tickets available to the general public, bringing in more than 300 million yuan (US$36 million; euro 30 million). Including those holding sponsors tickets, about 200,000 in all are expected to attend.
Most tickets have been sold to Chinese fans, according to local media, reflecting how interest in auto racing is taking off in the world's fastest-growing car market.
The Chinese Grand Prix is the third-to-last event on the 18-race F1 schedule, the second new event after the Bahrain into a sport that is looking to Asia to expand its audience.
Out at the track, gear was trucked directly from Shanghai's international airport and customs setting up a special office on the site to handle paperwork.
Drivers and team engineers have just three days to familiarize themselves with the new track before Friday's practice session. Up to now, they've been working with maps and computer simulations, but those tools can't gauge variables such as wind speed, wear on brakes and tires and surface temperatures affecting engine cooling.
The 5.4-kilometer-long (3.4-mile-long) circuit on Shanghai's west side was designed by prolific German Hermann Tilke. It forms the shape of the Chinese character "Shang" _ meaning "to rise," which also forms the first part of the word Shanghai.
The track has been called fast and technical, with 14 turns and a 1.2-kilometer-long (0.75-mile-long) straightaway on which cars will hit speeds of up to 326 kph (205 mph).
Its tightening first turn and final straightaway have been singled out as its most interesting features.
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Formula One teams settle in to Shanghai circuit ahead of Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix
Formula One's ten teams settled into Shanghai's brand-new racing circuit on Tuesday following the arrival of 32 cars ahead of the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Protected by colorful covers, the multimillion were lifted delicately into team garages by forklifts along the US$240 million (euro 197 million) Shanghai International Circuit's pit lane. The arrivals marked yet another milestone for organizers following nearly two years of flat-out work for the Sunday event.
"The preparation enters its final stage," circuit General Manager Mao Xiaohan said.
The Grand Prix marks China's first foray into the international glamor sport. That has generated massive civic pride in the country's largest, wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city, already home to a thriving auto industry and the country's tallest building.
The Grand Prix, which Shanghai will host until at least 2010, adds to a string of top-tier sports events staged by China, including professional tennis and figure skating, in a quest for prestige to match its rising economic and political clout.
Drivers, including this season's champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari, were to begin arriving on Tuesday.
In remarks prior to his arrival, Schumacher said he wasn't concerned that other drivers might have had a chance to try out the track before him.
"Only after having run the first few laps on Friday will we discover what it is really like," the German was quoted as saying by the Web site Motorsport.com.
Meanwhile, Williams BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya spent part of Monday celebrating his birthday at the Great Wall outside Beijing.
The race is also expected to see the return of Ralf Schumacher, Michael's brother, to Williams following a six-race absence after crashing into a wall at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis in June.
Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will also be returning with Renault after being without a ride all season. The Canadian replaces Jarno Trulli, who left to join Toyota.
Teams have scheduled a parade of flashy promotional events to maximize the publicity value of their entry into what F1 is hailing as its most promising new market of 1.3 billion car-crazy potential fans.
"China is a big market for everyone. For Honda it's a huge market," said Alistair Watkins, marketing director for the BAR-Honda team who are running second behind Ferrari on the constructors table, just three points ahead of Renault.
Watkins spoke at the launch of a BAR-Honda extravaganza at the ultra-trendy Xintiandi nightlife spot, featuring a laser show, bands, and 500,000 yuan (US$61,000; euro 50,000) worth of fireworks.
However, along with several other teams, BAR-Honda has been forced to rework their promotional materials to conform with China's ban on tobacco advertising.
While actual race cars will still carry cigarette logos, they are banned from advertising hoardings at the track and even from materials placed in team VIP rooms, according to a spokesman at the State Sports General Administration, who gave only his surname, Chen.
Organizers say they've sold all 150,000 tickets available to the general public, bringing in more than 300 million yuan (US$36 million; euro 30 million). Including those holding sponsors tickets, about 200,000 in all are expected to attend.
Most tickets have been sold to Chinese fans, according to local media, reflecting how interest in auto racing is taking off in the world's fastest-growing car market.
The Chinese Grand Prix is the third-to-last event on the 18-race F1 schedule, the second new event after the Bahrain into a sport that is looking to Asia to expand its audience.
Out at the track, gear was trucked directly from Shanghai's international airport and customs setting up a special office on the site to handle paperwork.
Drivers and team engineers have just three days to familiarize themselves with the new track before Friday's practice session. Up to now, they've been working with maps and computer simulations, but those tools can't gauge variables such as wind speed, wear on brakes and tires and surface temperatures affecting engine cooling.
The 5.4-kilometer-long (3.4-mile-long) circuit on Shanghai's west side was designed by prolific German Hermann Tilke. It forms the shape of the Chinese character "Shang" _ meaning "to rise," which also forms the first part of the word Shanghai.
The track has been called fast and technical, with 14 turns and a 1.2-kilometer-long (0.75-mile-long) straightaway on which cars will hit speeds of up to 326 kph (205 mph).
Its tightening first turn and final straightaway have been singled out as its most interesting features.
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