MAY 21, 2007

The axe falls in Shanghai

Yu Zhifei, the man in charge of the Chinese Grand Prix, has been fired by the government for misuse of funds. Yu used company money to pay for a house and indulged in what the government media referred to as "other illegal behaviour". He had been under investigation since last autumn. He has also been expelled from the Communist Party. Two other officials were also dismissed for taking bribes. It remains to be seen whether Yu will now face criminal charges.

The moves in China should not affect the Chinese Grand Prix as the government will simply slot in a new official.