Button on track in Shanghai 20 Aug 2004
BAR’s Jenson Button became the first current Formula One driver to take a car around the Shanghai Circuit earlier this week, albeit not the exact layout that will be used for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix on September 26.
The new Shanghai International Circuit facility offers several different track configurations and Button, who also visited the site last year to see the construction work, was able to experience one of these at first hand, driving a Honda Accord road car.
“The Shanghai circuit looks like it will be a good medium-speed track and there appear to be a lot of overtaking opportunities,” commented Button on his previous visit. “It looks exciting and challenging and I am looking forward to racing there.”
Earlier this year, former Ferrari star Gerhard Berger had the honour of becoming the first man to drive a Formula One car around the Chinese circuit when the Austrian put in four laps in Michael Schumacher’s world championship winning Ferrari F2003-GA as part of the track’s opening race meeting.
