04/11/2010
NEWS STORY
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While the asterisk against India's round of the 2011 season is to be expected - the track isn't built yet - there was surprise at a similar mark beside Shanghai's place on the calendar.
Since Shanghai made its debut on the F1 calendar in 2004 there has been a steady decline in spectator numbers leaving organizers to turn some grandstands into vast advertising hoardings. Indeed, ahead of this year's event, Bernie Ecclestone and severla drivers referred to the facilities as "tatty".
With China, like Turkey, thought to be for the chop in order that F1 can welcome Russia, the USA and others, these fears were heightened when the World Motor Sport Council ratified the 2011 calendar.
However, a spokeswoman for the FIA last night told us: "The homologation licence for the Shanghai International Circuit has expired and before a new licence can be issued by the FIA some work on the track is required, with particular regards to the current drainage system and the quality of the track surface"
That said, many believe Shanghai's dropping from the calendar is a matter of when not if.