MAY 3, 2004

Shanghai shaping up

Work is now close to completion on the Shanghai International Circuit in China. The work began in October 2002 with a plan to complete everything in 18 months. It was an impressive undertaking but the work has kept to schedule and the new facility is now beginning to take shape with all the access roads also well on their way to completion. The most impressive part of the new project are two vast "wings" which link the pitlane buildings with the main grandstands on the other side of the race track on the start finish line. Although the unusual secondary grandstand design is also startling with a series of overlapping circles forming the roof. The team areas behind the garages and also unusual with each team being housed in a separate facility , all of which are surrounded by water in order to restrict access to the area. The first Chinese Grand Prix is due to take place at the Shanghai facility in October.