Chinese Grand Prix Formula One Race

Formula One Chinese Grand Prix

Rubens Barrichello finished in first place, at the very first Chinese Grand Prix, on 26 September 2004. It is a new circuit in the world of Formula One racing, and the Shanghai International Circuit, is the most expensive circuit facility to date, that cost US$ 240 million to construct. The Chinese Grand Prix consists of 56 laps, and has a total race length of 305.07 kilometers. The seventeen million inhabitants of Shanghai, and designer Herman Tilke, can be extremely proud of this wonderful circuit.

Designer, Herman Tilke, unintentionally took in every consideration of the Chinese history and beliefs, while designing the circuit. He created the circuit in the form of the “shang” symbol. It means above or rising. The Shanghai International Circuit was constructed in Anting, which is in the same neighborhood as the Volkswagen plant. It has a truly amazing environment and is the most modern circuit at the present time. Tilke is a genius when it comes to designing a race track. He takes the environment into consideration, and then works with it. His race tracks are therefore all different, but still have the same elements and specifics, to ensure a safe but exciting circuit. The area that was used for the construction of the Shanghai International Circuit, has very marshy ground. Polysterene blocks were used to cover the thousands of concrete columns that were placed into the ground. The circuit was then constructed on top of the polysterene blocks. Due to polysterene being quite a young material to use, and there are no other experiences to work from, the estimated life of the circuit has been put down to a minimum of seventy years. All the Formula One drivers have been impressed and have expressed only positive comments in regard to Herman Tilke’s latest design.

The Shanghai International Circuit is also the proud host of the Grand Prix with the longest straight, currently on the Formula One calendar. The straight is an impressive 1.2 kilometers in length. The Chinese Grand Prix is also the noisiest Grand Prix circuit, with the roofs of the grandstands, carrying the noise levels. The track was opened in true Chinese tradition, with folklore and dance that is so unique to a country that is the heart of Mao and Confusius.