Click on any of these topics to learn more about the 2012 F1 race.
The 2012 race
Now in its ninth edition, the most glamorous of motorsports events the F1 Grand Prix returns to Shanghai, promising tension, thrills and excitement like never before. Pledging lower-priced tickets and greater post-race pit lane access for the second year running, the 2012 showdown will see the world's greatest cars and drivers descend on the city, cheered on by a diverse crowd and electric atmosphere.
At 56 laps of 5.451kms, the race is a test of skill and endurance. Last year's winner, Lewis Hamilton for McLaren Mercedes will doubtless be hoping for a more comfortable win after last year's tense finish which saw the young Brit overtake current world champion Sebastien Vettel only at the penultimate circuit. Or, will Michael Schumacher return to form and repeat his 2004 Shanghai lap record of an astonishing 1.32 minutes?
Whatever the outcome, the Shanghai Grand Prix promises an exhilarating and unforgettable day out, complete with some of the biggest names in sport and, of course, the real stars of the show, the slickest, fastest and most impressive race cars to grace Shanghai all year.
The Track
The F1 track is outside of Shanghai in Anting, 40kms north west of People's Square. See below for information on how to get there. Until last year, Shanghai's F1 driving course was the most expensive one ever built (now Abu Dhabi has taken that crown), due to its location on swampland. Construction crews have build the whole thing on styrofoam -- Wikipedia says builders used an amount equal to the entire styrofoam resources of China for one year to create this track.
The racetrack is in the shape of the character of "Shang" of Shanghai; see the Google satellite picture on the right. Outside the F1 races, the track is used by car companies to let their prefered clients test new cars. It's 5.451kms long and with 56 laps, racers travel distance of 305.066kms. Schumacher still holds the record -- he did one round in 1:32,238 minutes.
Inside the F1 track is a go-kart track that's open to the public every day (access from the north side), and according to reviews we've received, it's Shanghai's best kart track -- real racing karts are 250rmb for 8 minutes.
Tickets
All tickets are valid for Friday (practise day), Saturday (qualifying) and Sunday (race day). Ticket holders of the 2-day tickets can access all areas on Friday.
Schedule & Race
Friday is practice day. Ticket holders can access all areas, no matter what ticket category they have. Practice times: From 10am-11:30am, and in the afternoon from 2-3pm. Saturday morning is another practice session from 11am-12pm, and then it's qualifying rounds in the afternoon from 1pm. Sunday is race day, warm up starts at 1:45pm. The race itself starts at 3pm.
If you've never been to a F1 race, there's one key thing you should really know: it's loud. Very, very loud. Imagine yourself standing next to a jumbo. Times that by two. Basically, it's impossible to enjoy the race without good earplugs. Retailers sell them outside the track -- be sure you buy some before you go in.
You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks inside, but they are also selling food outside and cold beers.
Getting there
Metro Line 11 is the best option to get to the F1 track. The "Shanghai Circuit Station" is just a short walk from the track. However, ironically, that station wasn't designed to handle the huge amount of people going to see the race, so there's a chance that it gets shut down at some point (last year it wasn't open at all). If that's the case, get off at Jiading New Town, from there it's a 25 minutes walk. Avoid private taxis. They can't get you anywhere near the track.
If you plan to go by car, prices for parking tickets at the track have been reduced from a steep 800rmb to 20rmb (per hour) this year, and it's not necessary to buy them in advance.
Parties
The F1 takes the entire city by storm and usually just about every bar in town does some sort of an F1-themed party on that weekend. All of the better F1 parties are invite-only. VIP kind of deals, with teams and sponsors living the high life at fancy hotels -- it's quite hard to get invites to those unless you know people in that industry. Shanghai's been doing F1 for a few years and the initial hype that brings immense sponsor money is over -- unforgotten is the Red Bull party a few years ago where they built an entire wooden city on the Pudong Huangpu riverside, or the Amber Lounge party at People's Square with an never-again-seen flow of Champagne. However, all is not lost.
Riviera Events does a big F1 party every year, information about this year's party should come out soon and you’ll most likely read about it here on SmartShanghai. We might even sell tickets to those again (where are you Riviera?).
If you like to see a driver go eat at expensive upscale restaurants, chances are high you'll see someone you know from TV -- Schumacher, for example, is a big fan of Shintori, apprently.
