It's rare that rival Formula One racing teams agree on anything.

But as drivers and officials from different F1 teams visited the Shanghai International Circuit, where construction work is in full swing, they seemed to agree that the circuit will help make next year's inaugural China Grand Prix one of the most exciting races on the F1 tour.

After visiting the circuit in the city's Anting town Monday afternoon, David Richards, the CEO of BAR Honda F1, said he was astounded.

"We were told there were 7,000 people working on the site," said Richards. "I've never seen a circuit of such scale and the efforts and technologies put into the construction are just like what we applied to a Formula One car itself."

Jenson button, who finished ninth in the drivers' Championship this season, found the latest leg on the F1 calendar a paradise for passing.

"I think it's a very fast track and looks very good for overtaking, even more exciting than Hockenheim, which is known for its fast track," said the 24-year-old Brit.

Ralf schumacher experienced the circuit in a different way.

The BMW Williams racer had a virtual drive on the Shanghai track using a simulator at a press conference Monday evening.

"What I got to understand from the simulation drive is that this is among the most challenging races on the F1 tour," said the younger brother of Michael Schumacher, the reigning title-holder in the drivers Championship. "With a tough combination of high-speed and low-speed corners, it poses a real test to the ability of the racers."

Schumacher, who came to Shanghai to help promote one of the Williams team's sponsors, had a very brief stay in town Monday.

He paid a visit to Yu Zhifei, the general-manager of SIC and went for a late training session with the Shanghai Shenhua soccer team. He didn't, however, have time to visit the track.

The bar pair left for Beijing last night to meet with the team's Chinese marketing partner Sina.com to formally launch www.Barf1.com.cn, the Chinese version of BAR Honda F1 official Website.

"All I want to do during the two days here is to introduce the BAR Honda team to the national companies here who are interested in the opportunities that a partnership with a F1 team can offer," Richards said.

The inaugural China Grand Prix is scheduled to be held on September 26th, 2004.

(eastday.com October 14, 2003)