A Test of Character

A couple of weekends ago, LT and I attended the Shanghai Formula1 race.  The race proved to be a test of character for drivers and fans.  The Shanghai Grand Prix Circuit was designed to mimic the the first of the two Chinese characters for "ShangHai".  Boy would we have been in for a treat if they tried to race on a circuit mimicking the second character.  The track is a 5.45km (3.39mi) circuit built on old swampland boasting the longest straightaway in Formula1 racing allowing drivers to reach speeds in excess of 320kph (198mph).  We sat near the end of the straightaway where drivers must hit the brakes hard in preparation for a tight hairpin turn.  Two driver's days ended on that hairpin, one in mildly spectacular fashion, the other because his wheel finally fell off as he made the turn while limping to the pits.

The race itself was won and dominated by Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.  He took the lead on lap 5 and essentially held it from there with the exception of pit strategy juggling.  I think he took the lead for good somewhere around lap 30, pulling so far ahead he was able to pit on lap 41 and still pull out of the pits some 12+ seconds ahead.  It has to be somewhat of an embarrassment for 2nd and 3rd to even take to the podium following a race in which the field was so thoroughly dominated.

The reported attendance for the event was in excess of 190,000, and all were treated to dramatic Melbourne-esque weather shift.  We left the house prepared for sunny and 75, and that's exactly what we got when we arrived.  As the race approached a strong, cold, wet, and persistent wind kicked up and the temperature continued to drop.  The temperature had easily plummeted 25 degrees by lap 20 and Laura was in a constant shiver despite having the foresight to bring a sweater.  This led to an exit shortly following Alonso's final pit with the conclusion seeming inevitable.  The early exit also saved us from the discomfort of 45 minutes on one of two trains in which as many of 190,000 spectators as possible would be trying to cram into.  And they aren't shy about cramming.

From www.entershanghai.info
ShangHai in Chinese characters.  The first character is Shang
(falling tone) meaning "above" and the second character is
Hai (dipping tone) meaning "sea".  Mama huhu, which literally
translates to "horse horse tiger tiger", means "so-so", so feel free
to use your imagination on what "above sea" might really mean.

Map of the Shanghai Grand Prix circuit.  We were
in the pink block just above the hair only head.

Back of the Grandstand

Laura hanging out with Bernard Ecclestone, the "Leader
 of Formula1 Grand Prix".  Not a chatty fellow.

From our seats.

Some might mistake this for the Finnish
line, but it's just the Finnish fans.

Pre-race flag walk.  No Stars and Stripes
here, you have to be able to turn right.

Lined up for the start.

Coming back into view on Lap 1.

First victim of the hairpin.

The helmeted one is Mark Webber who, minutes before,
had been screaming down a straightaway at 322kph.
After his wheel fell off, he returns to the pits at 20kph
on the back of a scooter.  This made me laugh ... a lot.

Mark Webber's car getting a lift back to the pits.  Not as funny as a scooter.

Fernando Alonso about to make another pass.  It was no contest.