Formula One's ten teams settled into Shanghai's brand-new racing circuit yesterday following the arrival of 32 cars ahead of Sunday's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.
Protected by colorful covers, the multimillion cars were lifted delicately into team garages by forklifts along the US$240 million Shanghai International Circuit's pit lane. The arrivals marked yet another milestone for organizers following nearly two years of flat-out work.
PHOTO: AFP
"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. 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 US 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, 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) worth of fireworks.
Organizers say they've sold all 150,000 tickets available to the general public, bringing in more than 300 million yuan (US$36 million). Including those holding sponsors tickets, about 200,000 in all are expected to attend.
The Chinese Grand Prix is the third-to-last event on the 18-race F1 schedule, the second new event after the Bahrain GP into a sport that is looking to Asia to expand its audience.
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