18/01/2011
NEWS STORY
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The Shanghai International circuit, which has yet to have its licence renewed by the FIA, is to be inspected in March.
When the FIA issued the 2011 calendar in September last year, there was an asterisk beside China's round of the world championship. The FIA subsequently admitted that there was a question mark against the event.
"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," said a spokeswoman for the sport's governing body, "with particular regards to the current drainage system and the quality of the track surface".
The same spokeswoman has now confirmed that the track will be inspected in early March, just weeks before the venue is due to host the fourth round of the championship.
"The Shanghai International Circuit has confirmed that all work as requested by the FIA will be carried out and should be completed by the end of February," said the FIA's spokeswoman tonight. "Before a new licence can be issued, the FIA will carry out a final inspection in March."
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 last year's event, Bernie Ecclestone and several drivers referred to the facilities as "tatty".
On the other hand, China, is the key market for the car manufacturers and most of the companies that sponsor the sport. Therefore, despite the "tattiness" of the Shanghai circuit, and the empty grandstands, many of those involved have a vested interest to see that China remains on the calendar.