The Formula One circus has touched down in China for the third round of the new season, as F1 will celebrate its 1,000th world championship race this weekend. Although Shanghai is a fine city, the track – located 20 miles to the north-west of downtown – is a soulless venue.
It is also a race which is relatively new to the calendar, too, having joined in 2004. F1 chiefs wanted to stage the landmark round at Silverstone, the venue for the first world championship event in 1950. But bosses of the Northamptonshire track feared Britain’s unpredictable spring-time weather would be a turn-off for fans, leading to a drop in revenue, and without a financial incentive to move from their traditional July slot, they did not want to play ball.
Despite its rather grim location, the Shanghai circuit has, however, thrown up a number of decent races, and the sport will hope for another eye-catching spectacle in its 1,000th running.
Alfa Romeo Racing Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen previews the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix: “The next race will be a special one. I have had the chance to experience some of the great moments in Formula One history and am happy to continue making history with Alfa Romeo Racing. We have been working on making progress over the past two race weekends and feel confident of our potential. I look forward to seeing what we will achieve at this next one in Shanghai.”
Antonio Giovinazzi added: “I look forward to arriving in China. To be competing in Formula One this year is something special to me and being part of the 1000th Grand Prix, such a historic event in our sport, is a great honour. I am proud to bring the Italian flag to one of the 20 cockpits at this event and will give my all to bring home a good result. We had a solid weekend in Bahrain and will work hard to deliver a strong performance this weekend in China.”
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