The design for Beijing's F1 race track was authorized by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on February 28.

The race track, which will be 13 to 18 metres wide, will extend for 5.9 kilometres. The track will be 450 metres longer than its counterpart in Shanghai.

With some 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) in investment, the race track is expected to open next February. It has a holding capacity of 80,000 people.

"We design and construct our race track strictly with related requirements by the FIA, and we are confident the new track will be technically suitable for the F1 races," said Chu Zhaoge, general manager of the Conp-speed Beijing International Circuit Ltd Company.

Chu said his company pays attention to commercial aspects of the development.

"Our international partners are major sponsors of F1 and other international racing competitions, and they promise to bring high-level racing games to Beijing in the near future," Chu said.

He said the management of the new race track will follow international practice and its international partners will bring sophisticated management experience.

Chu refused to give details about the company's partners.

Developing an F1 race track is a risky job in China. An earlier attempt to bring the F1 to China failed when a race scheduled in1998 in the southeastern city of Zhuhai was called off due to failed safety checks.

"So we are extremely careful about the development of our race track, and we must make it step by step," Chu said.

After completion of the track, a series of motor racing competitions, including F3 automobile racing, will be held here to check the road condition and safety index of the track.

"Only with the examination of some low-level racing games, will the FIA make sure we have the ability to host the top-level F1 racing games," Chu said.

Chu believes the market environment in Beijing will also be a strong attraction to F1 organizers.

"With the 2008 Olympic Games coming, Beijing will undoubtedly become one of the most important cities in the world," Chu said.

Industry analysts suggest that Beijing is very likely to become the fifth city in Asia to qualify to host F1 races.

FIA officials have made it clear that the four F1 race tracks in Asia are relatively small compared to its vast potential market.

(China Daily October 24, 2002)