China should make motor sport inexpensive, and a Formula One driver - and other representation at the pinnacle of motor sport - will follow. That's the message of FIA president Max Mosley in the days after China's inaugural grand prix at a $325 million, purpose built, circuit.
"China's automobile sport federation," said the Briton, "need to pursue ways to make the sport affordable. Lower the cost of entry-level series like go-kart, and make the sport accessible."
Mosley said that if China makes that 'a priority', then international racing's governing body will also 'help' Chinese motor sport. Locals moaned that F1's first foray into China was too 'expensive,' as the sporting headline in the Shanghai Daily screamed on the day after the inaugural race. "Everybody is stealing from my wallet," the newspaper quoted one disgruntled spectator, who paid about a month's wages just to enter the track.
The president of China's racing federation vowed to spend a decade on the 'basic build-up' of motor sport, including lower level races and 'overseas races' for locals. Shi Tianshu said: "For F1, we need to foster a native star and I think Chinese are smart enough to be F1 drivers."
Series
Formula 1
Other
Get your official Formula 1 tickets at Sportstadium.com
| 2004 Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| More 2004 Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix photos | |||
| Formula 1 | |||
 |  |  |  |
| More Formula 1 photos | |||
English
Nederlands
Español
Italiano
