China gears up for F1 race

JAKARTA (JP): China is gearing up to host the first Formula One Grand Prix motor racing championship ever at Zhuhai circuit next year.

The circuit director Joe Lim Hun Beng was upbeat of China's chance to win its bid to host a round of the world's most prestigious after representatives of the world motor sport body FIA (Federation Internationale de L'Automotive) inspected Zhuhai late last year.

"All the indications are that China will have a place on the FIA Formula One world championship calendar next year," said in a release reached here yesterday. Zhuhai was equipped with world class facilities which had been designed to the F1 specifications and in consultation with both FIA and several leading drivers, he added. (lnt)