Michael Schumacher, the winner of seven Formula One world
championships, has arrived in Shanghai to participate in the China
Grand Prix, local media reported.
On a private jet from Italy, he arrived in the city at 2pm and
went to St. Regis Shanghai, said Liu Jianyou, a spokesman for the
Grand Prix.
Including the Shanghai leg, this F1 season has three Grand
Prix's to go.
Schumacher's schedule in the city is still unknown, according to
Yu Zhifei, the general manager of the prix. "I don't even have time
to pick him up at the airport, I'm just that busy," he told the
local media before Schumacher's arrival.
According to a Ferrari spokesman, Schumacher will attend five
press conferences over the next few days.
Schumacher said he is looking forward to the last races of his
career and felt no pressure. He also said that he thought about his
retirement for a long time.
Though he didn't perform very well in Shanghai in the past two
years, Schumacher seems full of confidence, according to the
newspaper.
Schumacher said his F1 Ferrari's have no problems, as his former
teammate Barrichello once won the championship in the city. "I need
two more points here," he added.
Though the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile cancelled
Shanghai's proposal to host a ceremony for his retirement,
enthusiastic fans and spectators will still have chance to cheer
their hero when a float carries him and the other racers in front
of the grandstands.
We may play "We are the champions" during the parade, Liu
Jianyou said.
(Shanghai Daily September 27, 2006)