“There’s big business to be had in China” a senior executive of a major sponsor told me during the long hike up to the main gates of the circuit from the parking area. “There’s so much more at stake than just grabbing the checkered flag first; it’s about getting in early,” he continued. Formula One’s big boys seem to agree and had already hailed Shanghai as the most important race on the 2004 calendar – despite the fact that Ferrari and Michael Schumacher had already wrapped up both world championship titles. I could almost picture Bernie Ecclestone, F1’s pint sized supremo, banging his fist on an FIA boardroom table saying “There’s gold there in them hills!” “There lies the future!” With that, he packed up his circus and headed East for what would be the beginning of the modern day equivalent of the gold rush, with over 300 million people waiting breathlessly for it to unfold live on television.

In a country of 1.3 billion people, where more than 1 in 4 people are addicted to smoking, it is little wonder why China is targeted to become the hub for the future of high profile motor sports. Days before the race, ticket sales had already approached capacity, with a claimed 80% of all tickets already sold. If you believe the figures, 30% of spectators for the GP came from Shanghai, 55% from other parts of China, 15% from the rest of the world and the remaining 20 people came from Castrol Philippines. Although China has no car racing tradition to speak of and the cheapest ticket cost a month's wages for the average worker, the state-of-the-art facilities, perfect weather and a close and competitive race won by Barrichello with an ailing Schumacher limping behind, appeared to be a successful formula.

Designed by renowned German, Hermann Tilke, the $300M circuit, loosely mirroring the Chinese character "shang", meaning upwards, packed in 150,000 out of a capacity 200,000 spectators, including more than 29,000 in the grandstand opposite the pits where we were seated. The track is incredible and features five punishing left hand corners and five right hooks and a massive straight spanning 1,175-metres linking turns 13 and 14. "It was designed with overtaking in mind," Tilke told Chinese media. "And we've included slow corners as well as fast corners, which will make it much more difficult for the teams to decide on a strategy." And that it did. Ron Dennis, McLaren’s big cheese, told F1Racing magazine that they had given Jenson Button his second place owing to a wrong call in strategy to slot Kimi in ahead of race winner Rubens Barrichello. “We exist to win,” said Dennis. “But our strategy didn’t work out and, in effect, we handed second place to Jenson”

There were more dramas on the track with Coulthard getting up close and personal with Ralf, giving the Williams driver a welcome back kiss after his 6-race absence from the grid, forcing Schumi Jr. to retire. Jacques Villeneuve made his comeback with Renault but only managed to excite his race engineer, Alan Permane, into yelling at him over the radio to push harder. He finished 11th. But none could compare with Schumi’s day. All his bad luck had funneled into one race. From where we were seated, it looked like Michael was driving the world’s fastest shopping trolley. The car seemed to have a mind of its own because asides from clipping Klein and losing it in qualifying, nothing else can explain his spin coming out of turn 13, which is banked and usually enjoyed with full throttle. Then there was Montoya.

JPM has struggled this year and needed to put in a solid performance before leaving the team. He was outpaced by his team mate all weekend, which was punishment enough, but managed to inherit 5th place from Ralf’s brush with Coulthard and a bungled pit stop, with a few valuable championship points and some dignity left intact.

Compared to Sepang, which is probably the fairest and closest comparison, Shanghai – as an event – has the potential to trounce its Asian neighbors. But there’s something missing. Sure, the track is world class and the weather was absolutely perfect, but it’s that intangible quality – that character or soul found in the more mature tracks in Europe or even the street circuit in Melbourne that leaves you wanting. It’s technically perfect but almost clinical. And the attitude of the local track staff does sour the experience. One local newspaper hit it on the head – it does lack participation from the fans; my best guestimate is that only about 20 % of spectators knew what was going on. The rest fell asleep. No big deal; this is par for the course for most inaugural events though it does seem a shame considering how many genuine fans would have given a left leg to be there.


The difference between the Australian, European and Asian races is huge. Motor sports is inbred and part of the culture of the Western world and attracts strong support from both spectators and sponsors. In Asia, especially Shanghai, it will take many years for the fever to catch on because, culturally, they have not been as exposed to motorsports. This makes a big difference in atmosphere. The advantages of the Asian races are that the facilities are second to none and it is comparatively cheaper. Australia has an incredible atmosphere because of their genuine passion for motor racing and that it is situated in a park. Gorgeous women stroll around in skimpy summer outfits and there's such a festive ambiance. I usually spend the whole day at the races, versus Sepang and China where you make your way out as soon as they finish spraying the champagne. There’s nothing left to do. Downside is, unlike the Asian tracks, facilities like toilets etc are a bit dodgy. A small price to pay.

I have to be honest; the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix was disappointing. Would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat. But that’s not my point. As I mentioned in my editorial last month, China has a long way to go before it can really woo the rest of the world. At the risk of repeating myself, it’s all in the attitude. Take the walk from the bus parking area as an example – its 30 minutes long! A little tiny foot bridge would cut about twenty minutes out of the hike. They are no provisions for passenger drop offs, either. Then there’s the expense. Right now, its popularity is just based on a numbers game. The edge will come from those that invest in customer service training.

Asia will eventually get there. What it needs is representation. Look at Japan. China, with its mind blowing population, will inevitably produce a local hero in the near enough future which will boost the sports popularity. It’s just a matter of time. And if I were a senior executive of a major sponsor, I, too, would want my foot wedged firmly in that door already. Just do the math.