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Track beyond imagination, says F1 chief
4/6/2004 13:16

Shanghai Daily news

Visiting technical officials from Formula One's world governing body gave the thumbs-up to Shanghai International Circuit after a final examination yesterday.
"What we saw today at the site is beyond our imagination," said Charlie Whiting, the governing body's safety and security chief.
"I think SIC has met all the F1 standards and will receive a license for staging F1 races next week."
Construction of the circuit, started in October 2002 in the suburban Jiading District, was completed last week and cost a total of 2.6 billion yuan (US$325 million).
It will host the inaugural F1 Chinese Grand Prix on September 24-26 but the first test for the organizers will come this weekend.
The two-day China Circuit Championship gets into action tomorrow at the venue while the official circuit inauguration ceremony will be held on Sunday afternoon, featuring a possible Ferrari F1 car test run.
The big weekend had a bit of a setback yesterday with the late cancellation of Ferrari F1 boss Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo's long-proposed trip to Shanghai.
Di montezemolo was said to be preoccupied by internal affairs at Fiat Group, the parent of Ferrari.
Sic announced last night that Ferrari F1 team principal Jean Todt will attend the inauguration ceremony on Sunday, leading a fleet of Ferrari racing chassis and road cars highlighted by a F2003GA, Ferrari's 2003 F1 chassis.
It was still not clear last night whether six-time world champion Michael Schumacher will be present at the ceremony.
Ferrari and SIC made a joint statement four weeks ago in Shanghai, saying the Italian F1 juggernaut will bring either Schumacher or its Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello to lap the Shanghai circuit at the ceremony.
Ferrari's presence will not be confined to the circuit.
Up to 60 Ferrari vintage models will tour the downtown area tomorrow morning as part of the Italian car maker's broad promotion scheme in the city.
The parade will start at Hongqiao State Guest House at 10am. It will travel along the Bund to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall and finish at Tomorrow Square in Nanjing Road W.
Xinhua reported yesterday that an unidentified source in the State General Administration of Sport claimed cigarette advertising will be banned at the circuit during the Grand Prix.