Tag Archives: Ferrari

Introducing: Second Gear

As the first of a new series of podcasts (and, soon, videocasts/TV shows) that I’ll be hosting with Sean Henshelwood, Second Gear aims to be an unvarnished look at the Asian motorsport scene. For all the undoubted opportunities of the Asian market, it sometimes feels like the sport doesn’t get out of second gear – hence the name – so in addition to all the latest news and analysis, we’ll also be talking about what needs to be done to take the sport to the next level.

Issues discussed on this episode include:

  1. Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix:
  2. Liberty Media’s plans for a second Chinese race:
    • The issues with building a sustainable track in China capable of holding an F1 race
    • How soon could this realistically happen?
  3. Fernando Alonso announces plans to build 40 go kart tracks in China over the next five years:
    • Is it achievable?
    • Can it produce China’s first F1 star?

[Photo credit above: 6th GEAR]

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F1 in China: a view from the fans

Following the recent Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, won in controversial circumstances by Lewis Hamilton, China Sports Insider spoke to two fans who had been at the race to get their thoughts.

Peng Wen
Peng Wen

Zhu Xiaoya, 18, is college student who has been following F1 and other motor sports (including GP3) on TV for two years. She traveled from Beijing to Shanghai for the race with her cousin, Peng Wen, a 24-year-old market research analyst, who is a long-time sports fan, but new to F1. Both were attending their first Grand Prix.  Continue reading F1 in China: a view from the fans

China’s F1 antipathy a constant in season of flux

Formula 1 is a state of flux right now. Aside from all the massive rule changes for this season, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali quit this week, there’s due to be a new US-based team from 2015 and three of the existing teams are reported to be meeting in Shanghai on Thursday to discuss how to make their engines louder, after those new regulations sucked some of the noise out of the sport.

China Grand Prix 2014-2-non_pre_0But the one constant that remains is China’s antipathy to Grand Prix racing. The race at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday will be the 11th consecutive Chinese Grand Prix held there, with current or former world champions winning eight out of the previous 10 races. But after the initial buzz, reality set in.

Here are some of the problems:

Continue reading China’s F1 antipathy a constant in season of flux

Weekly Wrap: F1, NBA, Tennis, MMA

Ferrari sign first Chinese sponsor

Weichai-193x97_070114Ferrari’s Formula One team has signed a four-year deal with Weichai Power. Somewhat surprisingly given Ferrari 20+ year history in China and the importance of the Chinese market, it is Ferrari’s first ever Chinese sponsor. Weichai, as I’m sure you know, produces mechanical components for heavy-duty vehicles, including buses.

Weichai Power’s parent company, the Weichai Group, already has Italian links: the company bought a majority stake in luxury yacht manufacturer Ferretti Group last year.

Continue reading Weekly Wrap: F1, NBA, Tennis, MMA