The unique characteristics of the race track as well as its architecture are set to make Shanghai’s International Circuit a highlight of the motor racing calendar.
The design of the Circuit, with its various turn combinations and high-speed sections will make for very exciting racing.
Viewed from overhead, the circuit’s shape is redolent of the Chinese symbol “Shang”, which translates as “high” or “above”. The imagery of the Circuit buildings is derived from history, nature and technology. Historical references are expressed by forms, colours and materials in new interpretations of traditional forms.
A four-door like arrangement, consisting of the main grandstand, the pit building, the control tower, the administration tower, the restaurant and the press centre forms the architectural focus of the entire construction. Two gates, each marked by two towers guard the entrance on the left and on the right side.
The entrance for the spectators to the grandstand is guarded by two red stair tower columns and the entrance for the teams to the pit building is guarded by two glass office towers. One of the red stair towers and one of the glass office towers are each bridged by a press centre and a restaurant. As a result two further gates are formed. These symbolise Shanghai’s role as gate to the world as well as Shanghai's future role as gate to the racing world.
Racing, and particularly Formula 1, symbolise speed and high-tech like no other sport. This is expressed through the design of the Circuit buildings where the dynamic shape of the press centre and the restaurant float wing-like over the race track. The choice of materials (shining aluminium, glass and steel) emphasises the technological aspects.
The colours red and gold, which symbolise luck and power, are applied to cylindrical roof cut-outs using the sunlight like natural lampions as sources of light.
A further symbol is the arrangement of the team buildings, which are modelled on Shanghai’s Yu-yuan Garden and are intended to create an island of peace and meditation in the fast world of Formula One.
The entire race track is surrounded by a network of emergency routes and marshal posts. These roads form a closed circle inside and outside around the race track and run with a distance of 1.50m behind the guard rail in the protection zone of the FIA fences.
At any time during a racing event and in each place any damaged race cars can be rescued from the race track and the run out zones, without closing the race track and without any temporarily interruption of the race. A connection to the Paddock area and the Medical Centre guarantee fast technical and medical support.
The Paddock serves as assembly area for the racing teams and accommodates all the equipment needed for a racing event.
During the planning period great attention was paid to environmental protection, traffic organisation as well as safety precautions.
The drainage system for surface water is designed to buffer the water via large retention surfaces. The large retention basin creates the possibility of using accumulated rain water as industrial water for the race track facilities and for irrigation of the garden and landscape features. Similarly, the waste water from toilets and from restaurants is collected separately and supplied to a purification plant for re-use.
A total capacity of 200,000 spectators
A main grandstand for 29,000 spectators and first class hospitality suites
Dedicated team buildings for international racing teams.
Administration and hospitality buildings
Medical centre
Broadcast centre for local and international media
specifications of the Grand Prix track
14 turns – 7 left, 7 right.
The predicted average lap time for the Circuit is 1m, 34 seconds.
Length of longest straight 1,175m.
Two sections of the track have been nicknamed ‘snails’ – the first at turns 1, 2 and 3 has a closing radius; the second, at turns 10, 11 and 12 has an opening radius.
At the end of the longest (1,175m) straight, cars are estimated to decelerate from 327 kph to 87 kph as they pass the Lotus grandstand.
Maximum uphill slope: 3%.
Maximum downhill slope: 8%.
Total asphalt used (base, binder and wearing courses): 173,000 m2.
Total length of tyre barriers: 6,500m, using a total of 174,000 units.
Total guard rail: 11,700m.
Total FIA safety fencing: 9,350m.
see also: Shanghai 2005 – looking back