This weekend is the Shanghai Formula 1 Grand Prix, one of the biggest sporting events on the city’s calendar. Here’s what’s going on.
The Season So Far…
This is the third race of 2012. The first was in Melbourne in March and saw Jenson Button lead from start to finish in a McLaren. Last year’s champion Sebastian Vettel took second place driving for Red Bull. Button’s teammate Lewis Hamilton was third in the other McLaren.
The second race was in Malaysia two weeks ago. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won after a rain-soaked day, with Sauber’s Sergio Perez a surprise second and Hamilton third. Going into this weekend, Alonso is leading the drivers’ championship with 35 points, followed by Hamilton on 30 and Button on 25, with Mark Webber a point behind him.
It looks like Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren will once again be the dominating teams this season, but Sauber’s had a good start and the field is still wide open. Last year, Hamilton won the Shanghai Grand Prix in his McLaren, joined on the podium by Vettel and Webber, both driving for Red Bull.
The Race…
Fifty-six laps of a 5.45km circuit with top speeds of well over 300km/h. Sunday is race day with practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday. One F1 ticket gets you into all three days and on Friday it's access all areas so you can sit anywhere you like to watch the practice. Friday is one of the best times to go if you want to get close to the action.
Many of the cheapest tickets are sold out. SmartTicket has seats in the grandstand at the first corner for 1080rmb for three days. VIP tickets in the grandstand on the start-finish straight are 3280rmb or 1980rmb for not-so-important-people. Check this out for a sort-of 3-D map of the seats and grandstands. To book, go here. SmartTicket will stop selling tickets on Wednesday afternoon, so be sure to book before then.
The Track…
It’s about 40km from the center of town, out in Anting, but a Metro runs all the way. In previous years, the Shanghai Circuit Station, which is the closest stop, was closed on race weekend because of the crowds. This year, it is open, so get a Metro all the way. Once you get off, follow the crowds and walk for about 10 minutes to get to the circuit. Avoid private taxis. They can't get you anywhere near the track.
If you want to drive, there are two carparks set aside for the weekend. The closest is five minutes walk from the track on Yi Ning Lu (get close and then follow the signs), that costs 400rmb for a three-day pass. The other carpark is 20 minute walk from the track but only costs 100rmb for a small car for three days or 200rmb for a large car or SUV.
The Shed is organizing a booze bus to take people out to the track on race day. That costs 250rmb and includes breakfast and beer on the journey. For more info, contact The Shed.
Sports Bars…
If you can’t make it out to the track, the race will be shown on Sunday afternoon at all the sports bars in town. Big Bamboo Hongqiao is planning a weekend of parties, with live music in the courtyard from Studio 188 and Free Love Armada on Saturday and Sunday night. Big Bamboos Nanyang and Jinqiao will be showing the race with English commentary, too.
At The Public in Sinan Mansions (formerly Apothecary), That’s Shanghai is organizing a Grand National party. They’ll be screening the British horse race, but after that’s finished they’ll be showing the Grand Prix. The Spot is showing both qualifying and the race in English. Bulldog won’t be showing it. Both the Camels will. The Shed will be.
The After Parties…
Riviera Events is teaming up with Bar Rouge this year and throwing joint launch party and wrap party for the Grand Prix. Thursday night from 9pm Bar Rouge hosts Rev Up, a night that's sure to be thick with champaign, F1 people, grid girls and F1-themed entertainment. That’s 100rmb on the door. On Sunday, Riviera returns to Bar Rouge to wave the checkered flag on the weekend with Beyond the Line, a celebration of the fastest men on earth and the indulgent way they love to party. That’s by invitation only, so to book a table or beg for tickets, email contact@rivieraevents.com. On the Friday and Saturday, the celebrations continue at Bar Rouge with two nights of F1-themed partying.
On Saturday, M1NT has the grand event for the Shanghai Grad Prix's main sponsor, UBS. That will be where many of UBS’s invited guests end up, so maybe even more high rollers than usual. On Sunday, they have an event with The Code 20, an organization that specializes in putting on parties around F1 Grands Prix. They have good hook-ups with the drivers. Last year Lewis Hamilton was there after his win, as was fellow driver Adrian Sutil (who got thrown out and subsequently charged with grievous bodily harm after a fight with one of the executives from the Renault team). Ah, what fun we had. This year they have a world-class burlesque dancer called Scarlett James to entertain you. Members or table bookings, or dine at the restaurant and then linger.
However, as the closest five-star hotel to the circuit and one of the prime sponsors of the event, the Doubletree by Hilton at Huaqiao-Kunshanmay be the real place to party. Head there for a drink at the bar after the race for the chance to bump into F1 pros, or book a room for the weekend and stay close to the track. The hotel has F1 packages running all weekend. More info here.
