Formula One news

Shanghai 'more like America' - Panis

Panis at the Chinese grid

Shanghai's $325 million Formula One circuit was 'almost a little bit too much,' according to grand prix veteran Olivier Panis. The Frenchman, who will retire as a race driver after Sunday's Suzuka event, was impressed by the new Chinese facility but thinks designers may have gone overboard.

"If we want high tech in F1," said the 37-year-old, "(Shanghai) is it! Things like the blue neon lighting around the top of the buildings ... I mean, it was like a science fiction film. Then I saw the two high bridges across the track."

Olivier Panis also said Shanghai, the city, seems more like America than China.

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