G
grumpyoldb
Guest
On September 26th 2004, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's dream of a Formula one global village became a further step forward to reality, when China hosted it's first ever F1 race.
Ten years ago, had you predicted that China, a country that had for so long shut itself off from the rampant commercialism of the west, would host a round of the most decadent commercial sport on earth. people would have laughed at you. However, this is the new China, one of the fastest growing economies on earth, a country that having missed out on so much of the 20th century appears to be spearheading the march into the 21st century.
Having embraced formula one, it was only right that the Chinese give the sport one of the most magnificent circuits ever to grace the World Championship calendar.
Although designed by track designer Herman Tilke, the Chinese were adamant that the basic shape of the track should resemble the Chinese character, Shang, which translates as 'high or above', and is of course where Shanghai gets its name.
Just a reminder of what it sounds like...............
The space age circuit can accomodate up to 200,000 race fans, with almost 30,000 of these seated in the fabulous grandstand, which allows them to view almost 80% of the circuit. This is a facility built not only for the drivers but also for the fans in the stands.
However, the drivers have not been forgotten, and the Shanghai track offers several opportunities for overtaking, while on the main 1,175 metre straight, between turns 13 and 14, cars can reach over 205 mph.
Naturally car manufacturers and sponsers see China as a vast untapped market, and in the months leading up to the inaugural GP, representatives from various teams and manufacturers were falling over themselves in an attempt to "network"/
However, if F1 is to be successful in China, it will have to work hard, and that means getting out and meeting people, losing the aloof image, and demonstrating what the sport is all about. Much of what the west takes for granted is alien to the Chinese, and this particularly applies to the Chinese, after all, this is a country where 18 in one thousand people own a car.
If Formula one is really to be considered a world championship, then it is vital that countries such as China are on board.
However, it is hoped that in the not too distant future, this globalisation of the sport will lead to Chinese drivers and even a Chinese team.
Certainly the magnificent Shanghai International circuit is a start.
The start of the 2007 race...
In 2002, it was announced that the management of the Shanghai International Circuit had signed a 7 year contract with the Formula One Management to host the Chinese Grand Prix starting from the 2004 season until the 2011 season. The Chinese Grand Prix debuted on September 26, 2004, and was won by Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. The following year, it hosted the final round of the Formula One championship, in which the newly crowned world champion Fernando Alonso won and claimed the constructor's title for Renault F1. In 2006, the Chinese Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher - his last victory in Formula One before he retired at the end of the season. In 2007 it was won by Kimi Räikkönen for Ferrari, and last year by Lewis Hamilton for McLaren
Here's Schumi from 2004
Length : 5.451
Profile :
Time difference: GMT +8
No of Laps: 56
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 - M Schumacher (2004)
Directions :
Located in Jiangsu Province, 40 minutes from Shanghai's People's Square and 5 minutes from the Jia Liu Expressway.
Address :
29F Jiushi Tower, 28 Zhongshan Rd 200010
History :
The adventurous circuit is designed by renowned specialist Hermann Tilke, who was also responsible for the new circuits in Bahrain and Malaysia and carried out modifications to the Nurburgring and Hockenheim's circuit.
The track is shaped like the Chinese character 'shang' standing for 'high' or 'above'.
There is accommodation for up to 200,000 spectators with main grandstand holding 29,500 and overlooking almost 80 per cent of the track.
There are two opposing stands on the north-east part of the circuit holding more than 10,000 each with roofs shaped like lotus leaves and 150,000 people can be housed on the rest of the enclosure in temporary stands or on the surrounding banking.
The team buildings are constructed on a special island on a lake on the infield.
The technical track and seven left-hand and seven right-hand bends place enormous emphasis on the car's aerodynamics and the driver's stamina and concentration.
The weather, 'cos Shanghai can be wet..............
At the moment, the forecast is for a dry weekend with a few clouds, but that could all change by next week.
Hope we get the diffuser issue sorted on Tuesday, and we have a good race.
Enjoy!
Ten years ago, had you predicted that China, a country that had for so long shut itself off from the rampant commercialism of the west, would host a round of the most decadent commercial sport on earth. people would have laughed at you. However, this is the new China, one of the fastest growing economies on earth, a country that having missed out on so much of the 20th century appears to be spearheading the march into the 21st century.
Having embraced formula one, it was only right that the Chinese give the sport one of the most magnificent circuits ever to grace the World Championship calendar.
Although designed by track designer Herman Tilke, the Chinese were adamant that the basic shape of the track should resemble the Chinese character, Shang, which translates as 'high or above', and is of course where Shanghai gets its name.
Just a reminder of what it sounds like...............
The space age circuit can accomodate up to 200,000 race fans, with almost 30,000 of these seated in the fabulous grandstand, which allows them to view almost 80% of the circuit. This is a facility built not only for the drivers but also for the fans in the stands.
However, the drivers have not been forgotten, and the Shanghai track offers several opportunities for overtaking, while on the main 1,175 metre straight, between turns 13 and 14, cars can reach over 205 mph.
Naturally car manufacturers and sponsers see China as a vast untapped market, and in the months leading up to the inaugural GP, representatives from various teams and manufacturers were falling over themselves in an attempt to "network"/
However, if F1 is to be successful in China, it will have to work hard, and that means getting out and meeting people, losing the aloof image, and demonstrating what the sport is all about. Much of what the west takes for granted is alien to the Chinese, and this particularly applies to the Chinese, after all, this is a country where 18 in one thousand people own a car.
If Formula one is really to be considered a world championship, then it is vital that countries such as China are on board.
However, it is hoped that in the not too distant future, this globalisation of the sport will lead to Chinese drivers and even a Chinese team.
Certainly the magnificent Shanghai International circuit is a start.
The start of the 2007 race...
In 2002, it was announced that the management of the Shanghai International Circuit had signed a 7 year contract with the Formula One Management to host the Chinese Grand Prix starting from the 2004 season until the 2011 season. The Chinese Grand Prix debuted on September 26, 2004, and was won by Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello. The following year, it hosted the final round of the Formula One championship, in which the newly crowned world champion Fernando Alonso won and claimed the constructor's title for Renault F1. In 2006, the Chinese Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher - his last victory in Formula One before he retired at the end of the season. In 2007 it was won by Kimi Räikkönen for Ferrari, and last year by Lewis Hamilton for McLaren
Here's Schumi from 2004
Length : 5.451
Profile :
Time difference: GMT +8
No of Laps: 56
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 - M Schumacher (2004)
Directions :
Located in Jiangsu Province, 40 minutes from Shanghai's People's Square and 5 minutes from the Jia Liu Expressway.
Address :
29F Jiushi Tower, 28 Zhongshan Rd 200010
History :
The adventurous circuit is designed by renowned specialist Hermann Tilke, who was also responsible for the new circuits in Bahrain and Malaysia and carried out modifications to the Nurburgring and Hockenheim's circuit.
The track is shaped like the Chinese character 'shang' standing for 'high' or 'above'.
There is accommodation for up to 200,000 spectators with main grandstand holding 29,500 and overlooking almost 80 per cent of the track.
There are two opposing stands on the north-east part of the circuit holding more than 10,000 each with roofs shaped like lotus leaves and 150,000 people can be housed on the rest of the enclosure in temporary stands or on the surrounding banking.
The team buildings are constructed on a special island on a lake on the infield.
The technical track and seven left-hand and seven right-hand bends place enormous emphasis on the car's aerodynamics and the driver's stamina and concentration.
The weather, 'cos Shanghai can be wet..............
At the moment, the forecast is for a dry weekend with a few clouds, but that could all change by next week.
Hope we get the diffuser issue sorted on Tuesday, and we have a good race.
Enjoy!
Last edited:
DT_Xtremez_14:
