Shanghai International Circuit

Length: 3.387 miles/ 5.451 kilometres
Laps: 56
Race length: 191.12 miles/ 305.07 km
Lap Record: Michael Schumacher (GER) Ferrari - 1min 32.238secs

- China made it's F1 debut in 2004 at the new Shanghai circuit. It had originally been scheduled to make it's debut in 1999 at the Zhuhai circuit, but due to lack of safety features it was removed before the start of the season

- The circuit was built on reclaimed swampland and construction began in April 2003. It took 15 months to complete the circuit and a price of $450m US.

- The circuit was designed by F1 architech Herman Tilke, and features his standard long straight followed by a hairpin. But unlike his previous tracks at Malaysia and Bahrain, this circuit had a long banked corner leading onto the straight to allow cars to follow each other better.

- Rubens Barrichello won the first race at the circuit from pole, followed by Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren and Jenson Button's Honda. Barrichello's team-mate Michael Schumacher had a disasterous weekend, spinning off during single-lap qualifying then colliding with Christian Klien at the hairpin during the race

- Schumacher also had an eventful race a year later before it began. On the way to the grid, while trying to save fuel, he was hit from behind by Christijan Albers' Minardi, causing him to start from the pit lane. He managed to climb through the field to sixth before spinning into retirement bizzarly behind the safety car.

- The 2005 race also seen the conclusion to the constructors championship. After Juan Pablo Montoya was forced to retire after hitting a loose drain cover, it left Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella to claim Renault's first ever team crown.

- Last year's race seen a washout with heavy rain during qualifying and the race. After struggling on inferior Bridgestone tyres in qualifying, Michael Schumacher drove brilliantly to secure what was to be the last victory of his career. His championship rival Fernando Alonso threw his chances away when Renault messed up his pit stop and he left on the wrong tyres

- The Spyker team also made their debut at last season's race having bought the team from Midland at the previous race in Italy

- The Honda pair of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button have yet to finish outside the points at the Chinese GP, but will be hard pushed to keep that record going this weekend

Previous Winners:

2006 - Michael Schumacher (GER) Ferrari
2005 - Fernando Alonso (ESP) - Renault
2004 - Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Ferrari