Once more the Aston Martin Asia Cup has the honour of supporting the Formula One World Championship when the latest race heads to Shanghai for the 2008 Formula One Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix this weekend.
After the Aston Martin Asia Cup kicked off an exciting day (and evening!) of race action in Singapore three weeks ago, Round 8 of the series is set to do the same in Shanghai. The 16 turn Shanghai International Circuit, with both its tricky corners and back straight which is almost three-quarters of a mile long, is an ideal track for the nimble N24s to show off their all-round ability.
The Championship could not be closer with Japan’s Kota Sasaki and Sri Lanka’ Dilantha Malagamuwa coming to the race in joint lead of the Championship table. Whilst neither driver can secure the crown this weekend, a good result here could put each in a powerful position when the series returns to Shanghai in November for its double header climax.
Hot on their heels will be Singapore’s Ringo Chong, fresh from his podium finish at his home race, and Mel Choo, who already has one AMAC win under his belt. Former F1 star and 2nd in the Singapore event, Christian Danner will be looking to go one place better as he joins the grid for the second time. Another welcome returnee is British driver Danny Watts who had his AMAC debut as a hot favourite in Singapore but crashed out whilst in 2nd position. He’ll certainly be looking to put that non-finish ghost to bed!
The series also welcomes Hong Kong based Canadian Eric Cheung for the first time. Alongside Hongkongers Frank Yu and Philip Ma, he will be looking to uphold the regional honour, whilst Taipei’s Kuo Tong Hsieh will be enjoying much local support. In this highly competitive series, the Shanghai race may just throw up a surprise or two.
One certainty is the unmistakable sleek lines of the Aston Martin are sure to win yet more admirers in China who can find out more about the beautiful road car versions at the Aston Martin showrooms in Shanghai and Beijing.