China: Shanghai track facts


By BAR F1 (21/09/2004)
September 21 2004

The Chinese Grand Prix is the second of two new races on the 2004 calendar. Designed by track design guru Hermann Tilke, the all-new Shanghai International Circuit is 5.451km, and is shaped like the Chinese character 'shang' standing for 'high' or 'above'. It comprises seven left and seven right turns that should take the drivers around 1 minute 34 seconds to complete, and boasts several overtaking opportunities, in particular at the multi-apex turn one and at the end of the back straight.

The average speed will be approximately 205 km/h, while the longest straight - over a kilometre in length - lies between turns 13 and 14. Here, cars should reach their maximum speed, which could be in excess of 330 km/h in dry conditions. There is a maximum uphill gradient of 3% and a maximum downhill of 8% and the hugely impressive new facility can seat up to 200,000 people.

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