Bernie Ecclestone had long been looking to expand Formula 1 into China when the government-funded Shanghai International Circuit opened in 2004. Designed by Hermann Tilke and built on a former swamp in the northwestern Jiading district of the city, the track layout was loosely based on the Chinese “shang” symbol. A vast main grandstand and pit building are connected by impressive gantries at either end. The paddock features a lake with individual buildings for each team. It is a technical and overly twisty circuit in the main although the 0.75-mile back straight allows for overtaking, especially since the introduction of the Drag Reduction System. The track has suffered some subsidence in places and both its layout, and the dense traffic outside were initially criticised by members of the F1 fraternity. Shanghai was an ever-present on the calendar until the Chinese Grand prix was cancelled from 2020-23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
