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Shanghai seals F1 deal for next 7 years
By Ni Yinbin |
February 17, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SHANGHAI will continue to host Formula One racing for the next seven years, but more must be done to improve the event's popularity, the organizers announced yesterday.
The Shanghai Sports Bureau said that the contract between local organizer Shanghai Juss Event Management Co. and the Formula One Administration (FOA), had been renewed until 2017, starting this year.
Zhao Wen, vice mayor of Shanghai, said the price of hosting F1 was reduced in the renewed contract, but did not reveal the figure. She said the F1 Chinese Grand Prix over the past seven years had been a success, but expected greater efforts to ensure the event made a bigger impact.
"F1 is a calling card for Shanghai," Zhao told reporters yesterday. "I am confident about the success of the event in the years ahead."
Tickets prices have also been reduced for this year's event in a bid to woo back fans. The Chinese Grand Prix attracted spectators 260,000 in 2004, its inaugural year, and added another 10,000 in 2005, but since then attendances have dropped.
Numbers fell to 120,000 in 2009, though they came back to 155,000 last year, buoyed by the return of legendary driver Michael Schumacher.
"We've learnt that high ticket prices have led to fans staying away, and will try to improve the situation in the following years," said Chen Yiping, deputy director of the bureau.
Ticket prices this year are lower than last year. Seats offering the best view are 3,280 yuan (US$498), 2,180 yuan and 1,980 yuan, compared to last year's 3,980 yuan and 3,580 yuan prices.
Access has also been improved, with the Shanghai Circuit station on the Metro's Line 11 - which was not open for last year's event due to concerns about numbers - will be in operation this time, Chen added.
Meanwhile, the renovation of the Shanghai Circuit will be under way by the end of this month.
Work will be carried out at turns No. 1, 8 and 14, and should be complete by the end of March.
The Shanghai Sports Bureau said that the contract between local organizer Shanghai Juss Event Management Co. and the Formula One Administration (FOA), had been renewed until 2017, starting this year.
Zhao Wen, vice mayor of Shanghai, said the price of hosting F1 was reduced in the renewed contract, but did not reveal the figure. She said the F1 Chinese Grand Prix over the past seven years had been a success, but expected greater efforts to ensure the event made a bigger impact.
"F1 is a calling card for Shanghai," Zhao told reporters yesterday. "I am confident about the success of the event in the years ahead."
Tickets prices have also been reduced for this year's event in a bid to woo back fans. The Chinese Grand Prix attracted spectators 260,000 in 2004, its inaugural year, and added another 10,000 in 2005, but since then attendances have dropped.
Numbers fell to 120,000 in 2009, though they came back to 155,000 last year, buoyed by the return of legendary driver Michael Schumacher.
"We've learnt that high ticket prices have led to fans staying away, and will try to improve the situation in the following years," said Chen Yiping, deputy director of the bureau.
Ticket prices this year are lower than last year. Seats offering the best view are 3,280 yuan (US$498), 2,180 yuan and 1,980 yuan, compared to last year's 3,980 yuan and 3,580 yuan prices.
Access has also been improved, with the Shanghai Circuit station on the Metro's Line 11 - which was not open for last year's event due to concerns about numbers - will be in operation this time, Chen added.
Meanwhile, the renovation of the Shanghai Circuit will be under way by the end of this month.
Work will be carried out at turns No. 1, 8 and 14, and should be complete by the end of March.
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