Two European circuits were facing the axe today after it was officially confirmed China would join the Formula One calendar from 2004. Shanghai will host a race at a new £170million facility after agreeing a seven-race deal, motor sport boss Max Mosley confirmed. China will join recently announced Bahrain in staging a grand prix from 2004 as Formula One expands globally at the expense of its European heartland. Currently, 11 of the 17 races are held in Europe.
Belgium, Austria and Imola in Italy, which hosts the San Marino Grand Prix, are understood to be the tracks most at risk from the newcomers. Next year's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps will only take place if the teams agree to run without tobacco advertising following a dispute over a local law.
If the race does not go ahead it is highly unlikely it would return to the calendar in 2004 despite its traditions, leaving one other track facing the axe. But teams did discuss a plan in Italy last September to increase the size of the championship to 18 races. Several teams are opposed to the idea on cost grounds - each race costs them around £650,000 - while others would prefer an extra race but less testing.
British American Racing boss David Richards said at the time: "I think there is a strong possibility that we will have 18 races. But it is early days yet, we will have to wait and see." Mosley, president of the sport's governing body, FIA, said at the opening ceremony of the Shang circuit today he had fulfilled a long-held aim to bring Formula One to China.
He said: "Formula One is the biggest annual global sporting event and it has been my ambition since becoming FIA President, that Formula One should have a home in the world's largest nation. That ambition will be realised in 2004 when the world of Formula One will arrive in Shanghai. Let me thank everyone involved in this project, including the Motorsport Federation of China and say how much I look forward to returning in 2004 for the first Formula One Grand Prix of China in Shanghai."
The 5.44km track will be designed by German Hermann Tilke, the man behind Malaysia's magnificent facility at Sepang and who is also involved in the Bahrain project. The circuit, which will resemble the Chinese character shang, meaning to rise, will accommodate 200,000 spectators and should be completed in March 2004. It will also include a theme park. Its arrival will end a long wait for the country to join the Formula One calendar.
The Chinese authorities spent more than nine years developing a circuit in the southern city of Zhuhai and was scheduled to host a race in 1998 but the track failed to meet international standards. Mosley said earlier this year he expected at least two and possibly three new circuits to be announced this year. Russia, Egypt, Dubai, Turkey and the Lebanon have all expressed an interest in staging a grand prix in future years.
Filed by Shane Murray
