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Officials welcome grand extension of F1

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-27 09:46

BEIJING - The Formula One Chinese Grand Prix will celebrate its eighth anniversary in Shanghai this April and China's motor sports officials hope the relationship lasts for many years to come.

"Holding the F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai has affected China's motor sport in many aspects," said Zhan Guojun, vice-president of the Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC).

"When the world's top motor sport event came to China, it broadened our minds as its organization is of the highest class. Hosting such an event also leaves a great legacy to the sport in China - such as professional referees and organizing staff," Zhan said.

In order to hold the event, about 1,000 people were trained to be qualified as F1 referees before the first Shanghai GP in 2004. Now, those referees work at various events in China.

The holding of the F1 event has also made the sport more popular in China.

The number of drivers, including those in rally, cross-country and circuit races, increased by more than 400 over the past year. After the building of Shanghai circuit, where GP is held, three more circuits have been built and two more are under construction in China.

Meanwhile, some Chinese companies have latched on to the event, such as IT companies Aigo and Lenovo, whose logos appear on F1 cars.

"Holding the event in Shanghai drew more attention from the whole society to motor sport," Zhan told China Daily.

"During the first event, in 2004, 120 of the world's top 500 companies were involved either directly or indirectly. At that time, China held about 30 motor sport events a year; now the number is about 100 a year."

However, Zhan is cautious about speculating when China will produce its own F1 driver.

"There are only about 30 F1 drivers a year and it is hard to say when China will have an F1 driver or a F1 team," Zhan said.

"It depends on whether any Chinese company is interested in running a team and offering the driver's seat to Chinese. That should be a marketing activity of the companies. I know some companies are considering it, but it's hard to say when it will be realized."

Last season, Dutch-born Chinese driver Tung Ho-pin became a reserve driver for Renault. It was the first time an ethnic Chinese had joined an F1 team.