The Shanghai International Circuit, which opened in 2004, was built within a
period of 18 months on 5.3 square kilometres of marshland. Concrete piles,
40 to 80 metres deep, were driven into the ground and covered with metre
thick layers of polystyrene and soil.
The circuit was designed by German architect, Hermann Tilke, who was also
responsible for the tracks in Bahrain, Istanbul and Sepang. The layout is
based on the Chinese character "Shang", which translates as "high" or
"above". The futuristic pits and grandstands emulate traditional Chinese
design features. The circuit seats up to 200,000 spectators. |
Formula One remains in
Asia after the Japanese Grand Prix, and travels west to
China for the final round of this year's Championship. Following its
successful debut on the F1 calendar last year, the team returns to one
of the more favoured GP.
The close of the 2005 season also marks the end of the alliance between
BMW
and WilliamsF1. After six seasons, the partnership has celebrated ten
Grands Prix victories together.Mark Webber:
"Last year's inaugural
Chinese Grand Prix was one I enjoyed a lot. I went to Beijing beforehand
and visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. All those monuments
and venues are very interesting and one really must go and see that part
of the world. I think it's a good thing that China is hosting a Formula
One race, especially in Shanghai, which is an incredibly modern city.
The circuit itself is unique, especially the first sector which has a
great layout and includes a long back straight where you can get some
good overtaking done. The facilities are world class and the atmosphere
at the track is better than we anticipated it to be for a new venue. I
enjoyed last year's event and I'm now looking forward to returning."
Antonio Pizzonia:
"Shanghai is another new track for me, just like Suzuka, and another
learning curve. I went to last year's race though so I have some idea of
what the track looks like. To get to know the layout a bit better I've
been on the simulator in Grove and will watch last year's GP, as I
always do before a race. Most of the drivers say they enjoy the circuit
so I am really looking forward to this, the last race of the year.
Hopefully we can close the season with a good result for the team."
Sam Michael Technical Director:
"Shanghai
circuit has a unique layout, particularly at the first corner, with a
good mixture of corner speeds and straights. It is quite twisty in areas
and the back straight leads into a corner where you can overtake under
the right circumstances. Strategy will be straight forward as we can
apply the rule changes to last year's race results.
After Suzuka, we are looking forward to finishing the year well.
Although this year has not yielded the results that would be
satisfactory for WilliamsF1, it has given us added incentive to correct
our position in 2006. In China, we also bid farewell to BMW with whom we
have enjoyed many successful races over the last six years."
.
Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"In
Shanghai, both cars will have fresh BMW P84/5 engines for the very last
time, as the Chinese Grand Prix will be the final race for the V10. No
doubt we will shed some tears over the end of this era but are now
looking ahead to the challenges we will face with the new V8s. China
also marks the last race with our long-term partner, WilliamsF1. We have
a six year history together, during which both parties benefited and
learnt a lot from each other. Together, we have won ten Grands Prix and,
in 2003, we were fighting for the Constructors' title right up until the
last race of the season. Unfortunately, we did not reach our mutual goal
of winning the World Championship together. I'm hoping for a good final
race to close our partnership.
China is one of BMW's fastest growing markets with enormous potential.
BMW
actually produces cars in China. Compared with 2004, our sales have
grown by 25 percent in the region. In 2003, BMW started its first motor
sport project in China with the Formula BMW Asia Championship. Ho-Pin
Tung, who won the series' first drivers' title, later became the first
Chinese driver to ever test a Formula One car when he drove the Williams
BMW FW24 in 2003. Formula BMW will again feature in this year's support
package. In China, curiosity and interest in motor racing are intense
and it's going to be exciting to see how this will develop in years to
come."
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