27/09/2004
NEWS STORY
Although highly impressed with the Shanghai International Circuit, BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen, believes that there is still a need for 'traditional' circuits on the F1 calendar.
From the moment they arrived in China, Theissen, along with team principals, drivers and even the media have been enthusing over the space-age Shanghai circuit, a track which has clearly raised the benchmark, at least as far as facilities are concerned.
However, at a time when the future of Silverstone is very much under threat, as is Imola, Theissen believes that F1 should mix the old with the new.
"The Shanghai International Circuit has set a new Formula One benchmark," he said, "but it is vital that the sport maintains a healthy mixture of tradition and modern spirit.
"Therefore, neither the Nürburgring nor Silverstone or Spa will lose their significance," he continued. "Formula One without these traditional circuits is absolutely unimaginable. They have to be a part of the Formula One calendar just as the futuristic circuits at Shanghai, Bahrain and Malaysia.
In 2005, F1 heads to Turkey.