In 2004, Formula One celebrated its debut in China. In Anting, about one hour from the city centre, the new Shanghai International Circuit has been constructed. The motorsport architect Hermann Tilke from Aachen, Germany designed the 5.45km long circuit that incorporates seven left and seven right-hand corners.

Culture From the Far-East...

The circuit is based upon the form of the chinese letter 'shang', which means 'high above'. The longest straight is to be found between curves 13 and 14. The drivers go to the limit for almost 1.2km and can reach a top speed of over 330km/h. A main advantage of the circuit is its multifunctionality. Formula one series, sports and touring races, motorcycle races and manufacturer challenges can take place in Shanghai. The architecture of the buildings situated on the main straight are to a large extent based upon chinese history, nature and technology. The boxstop area with control tower as well as the main tribune with press area form a double-gated arrangement that reflects the importance of Shanghai as a gateway to the world.

...Combined With High-Tech Functionality...

The roofs of the secondary tribunes opposite are reminiscent of lotus blossom and symbolise the unchangeable, protective equilibrium of nature to technology. Even with the choice of colours (red and gold), nothing was left to accident. According to chinese philosophy, 'when luck (red) and power (gold) are combined, success cannot be restrained'. Despite these connections to chinese culture, the new prestige project is characterised by dynamic architectural forms and high-tech materials such as reflective aluminium, glass and steel. The Shanghai circuit was technically the most complex and expensive Formula One circuit in the world, with a construction period of 18 months.

... And Directed Light.

Siteco secondary reflector technology illuminates the access areas of the new Shanghai circuit. The light distribution defines clearly and concisely the individual sectors: traffic zones are illuminated, darkness is left at night where it makes sense: on the grassed areas. The Siteco secondary reflector technology forms a direct symbosis between far-eastern tradition and western know-how. It is generally always used in situations where sophisticated and architecturally integrated lighting solutions are required.