Shanghai International Circuit
Encyclopedia
The Shanghai International Circuit is a motor racing circuit, situated in the Jiading
District of Shanghai
, People's Republic of China
. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix
, which was first hosted in 2004.
Other events held at the circuit include a round of the MotoGP world championship, the Australian-based V8 Supercar
championship in 2005, attracting crowds of over 250,000 spectators, and also the final round of the A1 Grand Prix
in 2006/2007.
The 2008 MotoGP race
was the last one on this circuit, as the FIM didn't select the racetrack for the provisional calendar of 2009. This is due to overcrowding problems in the circuit.
In September 2007, former manager of the circuit Yu Zhifei was convicted of embezzlement
as part of a corruption scandal
in Shanghai which resulted in the dismissal of several senior Chinese Communist Party officials.
Partly due to location of the circuit, areas around turns 1, 8 and 14 have been sinking, and therefore the circuit will need to be inspected before the 2011 event can take place.
The Chinese Grand Prix attracted 260,000 spectators in its inaugural year in 2004 with a slight 10,000 increase in 2005, but attendance has since declined with 155,000 attending in 2010. On Feb 18, 2011, Reuters reported words from the Chinese Grand Prix organizers said Shanghai has extended the deal to host the Chinese Grand Prix to 2018 despite falling attendance. Reuters reported words from Yiping Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau, suggested the situation can improve in the following years by lowering the ticket cost. Reuters reported prices for prime seats range would decrease from 3,580-3,980 yuan in 2010 to 1,980-3,280 yuan in 2011. On the same day, AFP reported that the Shanghai City government will keep open a subway line to the race track to boost spectator numbers from April 15-17, 2011.
The Feb 18, 2011 Reuters news also reported words from Wen Zhao, vice-mayor of Shanghai, suggested F1 is a calling card for Shanghai and he is confident that the success of the event in the years ahead.
, and also features his trademark track feature: a long back straight followed by a hairpin turn
. Current-generation F1 cars can easily surpass 300 km/h (186 mph) on the long straight between corners 13 and 14. The track layout was inspired from the Chinese character shang (上) the first character in the name of the city Shanghai, meaning "above" or "ascend". One lap lasts 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi). The whole circuit plus seating areas and other areas for spectators, covers a total area of 5.3 km².
Jiading District
Jiading District is one of the 18 districts of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It has a population of 1,471,100 .-Geography:...
District of Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix
Chinese Grand Prix
The Chinese Grand Prix is a round of the Formula One World Championship. It is currently held at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, designed by Hermann Tilke. When completed in 2004, it was the most expensive Formula One circuit facility, costing $240 million...
, which was first hosted in 2004.
History
Costing approximately $450 million (USD), the circuit was financed by a government-funded joint-venture company, consisting of the Shanghai Juss Corporation, Shanghai National Property Management Co Ltd, and Shanghai Jia'an Investment and Development Co Ltd. Architectural and design experts began planning and visiting the site between April and May 2003, and the area was transformed from swampland to international racetrack within 18 months with a team of 3000 engineers working around the clock.Other events held at the circuit include a round of the MotoGP world championship, the Australian-based V8 Supercar
V8 Supercar
V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category based in Australia and run as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile regulations...
championship in 2005, attracting crowds of over 250,000 spectators, and also the final round of the A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
in 2006/2007.
The 2008 MotoGP race
2008 Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2008 Chinese motorcycle Grand Prix was the fourth round of the 2008 MotoGP Championship. It took place on the weekend of 2 -May 4, 2008 at the Shanghai International Circuit.-MotoGP classification:-250cc classification:-125cc classification:...
was the last one on this circuit, as the FIM didn't select the racetrack for the provisional calendar of 2009. This is due to overcrowding problems in the circuit.
In September 2007, former manager of the circuit Yu Zhifei was convicted of embezzlement
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted....
as part of a corruption scandal
Shanghai pension scandal
The Shanghai pension scandal was a corruption case in Shanghai, China, in the which resulted in the dismissal of several senior Chinese Communist Party officials from 2006 onwards...
in Shanghai which resulted in the dismissal of several senior Chinese Communist Party officials.
Partly due to location of the circuit, areas around turns 1, 8 and 14 have been sinking, and therefore the circuit will need to be inspected before the 2011 event can take place.
The Chinese Grand Prix attracted 260,000 spectators in its inaugural year in 2004 with a slight 10,000 increase in 2005, but attendance has since declined with 155,000 attending in 2010. On Feb 18, 2011, Reuters reported words from the Chinese Grand Prix organizers said Shanghai has extended the deal to host the Chinese Grand Prix to 2018 despite falling attendance. Reuters reported words from Yiping Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau, suggested the situation can improve in the following years by lowering the ticket cost. Reuters reported prices for prime seats range would decrease from 3,580-3,980 yuan in 2010 to 1,980-3,280 yuan in 2011. On the same day, AFP reported that the Shanghai City government will keep open a subway line to the race track to boost spectator numbers from April 15-17, 2011.
The Feb 18, 2011 Reuters news also reported words from Wen Zhao, vice-mayor of Shanghai, suggested F1 is a calling card for Shanghai and he is confident that the success of the event in the years ahead.
Layout
In common with many other new Formula One circuits, it was designed by Hermann TilkeHermann Tilke
Hermann Tilke is a German engineer and auto racer, who has designed numerous Formula One motor racing circuits.-Racing:...
, and also features his trademark track feature: a long back straight followed by a hairpin turn
Hairpin turn
A hairpin turn , named for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy...
. Current-generation F1 cars can easily surpass 300 km/h (186 mph) on the long straight between corners 13 and 14. The track layout was inspired from the Chinese character shang (上) the first character in the name of the city Shanghai, meaning "above" or "ascend". One lap lasts 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi). The whole circuit plus seating areas and other areas for spectators, covers a total area of 5.3 km².
Records
| Category | Record | Circuit Length (m) | Driver/Rider | Team | Bike/Chassis | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula One Formula One Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which... |
1:32.238 | 5451 |  Michael SchumacherMichael Schumacher Michael Schumacher is a German Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes GP team. Famous for his eleven-year spell with Ferrari, Schumacher is a seven-time World Champion and is widely regarded as the greatest F1 driver of all time... |
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing.... |
Ferrari F2004 Ferrari F2004 The Ferrari F2004 is a championship-winning Formula One racecar, designed by Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn and Aldo Costa for the 2004 Formula One season... |
September 26, 2004 |
| GP2 Asia Series GP2 Asia Series The GP2 Asia Series is a form of open wheel motor racing based on the GP2 series.The series was officially announced during the weekend of the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix. GP2 series organiser Bruno Michel commented that "It is of great importance that the GP2 Asia Series maintains a strong and viable... |
1:46.470 | 5451 |  Kamui KobayashiKamui Kobayashi is a Japanese racing driver. He has competed in the GP2 Series, won the GP2 Asia Series, and made his Formula One debut with Toyota in the final two races of when he replaced Timo Glock after the German was injured in a crash during qualifying for the... |
DAMS DAMS Driot-Arnoux Motorsport is a racing team from France, involved in many areas of motorsports. DAMS was founded in 1988 by Jean-Paul Driot and former Formula One driver René Arnoux. It is headquartered near Le Mans, only 2 km from the Bugatti Circuit.- History :The year after its foundation,... |
Dallara GP2/08 Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... |
October 18, 2008 |
| A1GP | 1:51.832 | 5451 |  Darren ManningDarren Manning Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:... |
Team Great Britain A1 Team Great Britain A1 Team Great Britain is the British team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Management :A1 Team Great Britain was one of the first six seat holders in the series announced, with chairman John Surtees hosting the event... |
Lola B05/52 | April 1, 2006 |
| MotoGP Grand Prix motorcycle racing Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced... |
1:58.139 | 5281 |  Colin EdwardsColin Edwards Colin Edwards II nicknamed the Texas Tornado is an American professional motorcycle racer. He is a two time World Superbike champion and has competed in MotoGP since 2003, now riding for the Yamaha Tech 3 team in the 2011 season.-Early years:At the age of three, his Australian father, Colin... |
Tech 3 Yamaha Tech 3 Tech 3 is a motorcycle racing team currently competing in MotoGP World Championship under the name Monster Yamaha Tech 3 and uses the Yamaha YZR-M1 motorcycle.... |
Yamaha YZR-M1 Yamaha YZR-M1 The Yamaha YZR-M1 is an motorcycle specifically developed by Yamaha Motor Company to race in the current MotoGP series. It succeeded the YZR500 by the 2002 season and was originally developed with a engine... |
May 3, 2008 |
| 250cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced... |
2:04.543 | 5281 |  Jorge LorenzoJorge Lorenzo Jorge Lorenzo Guerrero , is a Spanish professional motorcycle road racer. He is the 2006 and 2007 250cc World Champion, and the MotoGP World Champion... |
Fortuna Aprilia | Aprilia RSA 250 Aprilia Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes... |
May 5, 2007 |
| 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced... |
2:11.572 | 5281 |  Mika KallioMika Kallio Mika Kallio is a Finnish Grand Prix motorcycle racer. He debuted in the 125cc World Championship with the Finnish rookie team Ajo Motorsport in 2001 and was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" in 2002... |
Red Bull KTM GP 125 KTM KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen... |
KTM 125 FRR | May 13, 2006 |
| V8 Supercars | 1:51.056 | 4600 |  Todd KellyTodd Kelly Todd Kelly is a V8 Supercar racing driver, currently living in Melbourne, Victoria. He is the older brother of former V8 Supercar and Bathurst 1000 champion, Rick Kelly. He drove for the Holden Racing Team from 2003 until 2007, and Jack Daniel's Racing in 2008... |
Holden Racing Team Holden Racing Team The Holden Racing Team is a Melbourne based motor racing team. HRT is the most successful V8 Supercar racing team in the history of the category, having won the drivers championship six times, and the series signature race the Bathurst 1000 seven times... |
Holden VZ Commodore | June 12, 2005 |
External links
- Shanghai International Circuit | JUSSEVENT
- Shanghai International Circuit
- Shanghai International Circuit History and Statistics
- Shanghai International Circuit Statistics from official F1 site
- Ciro Pabón's Racetracks 3D views and virtual laps of all F1 circuits, including this one, via Google Earth
- Shanghai International Circuit mapygon Satellite image of Shanghai International Circuit under construction
- FRD Motorsports - Organizer and Promoter of Asian Formula Renault, China Clio Cup, and other race series held at Shanghai International Circuit
- Trackpedia's guide to the Shanghai International Circuit
- BBC's guide to the Shanghai International Circuit
- BBC's 2009 Circuit Guide
- A1GP info of Shanghai International Circuit