| SHANGHAI, Sept. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- It seemed only Michael Schumacher and red-hot Ferrari could give China a real thrill at the upcoming inaugural Formula one event in Shanghai, an alien territory for one of the most glamorous sports in the world.
As the grand prix week dawns, the festival atmosphere is palpable downtown Shanghai with all the F1 stories tucked into TV programs and newspapers.
The Chinese biggest and wealthiest metropolis is bustling as usual, with posters and promotions reminding its citizens of Formula one's debut in China.
Schumacher made his first public appearance in Shanghai at a press conference on Wednesday, after keeping local media and fans guessing for a couple of days. The number of reporters and photographers attending the conference, the first held by Ferrari after its arrival, was strictly limited by organizers to avoid turmoil.
Questions raised ranged from the red color of Ferrari to Schumacher's life style. The German and his Brazilian teammate Rubens Barichello, both with bland smile on face, sat together in Ferrari's red, listening attentively to questions and replying through an interpreter.
"It's not really a surprise to see so much support from Chinese fans. The Formula one championships is a worldwide event and also popular here in terms of views on TV programs," Schumacher said.
Organizers said the conference was specially devoted to local media in compensation for Shumacher's absence in a publicity event weeks ago in Shanghai.
"King of racing comes!" reads the headline of a local newspaper on Wednesday, referring to Schumacher's secret arrival on Tuesday.
Hosts of Chinese fans and reporters had waited for the King for a couple of days in succession at the five-star Ruiji Hotel where Schumacher would stay during the grand prix week.
"I don't know much about motor racing, but Schumacher is a big name," said Ning Xiaolin, a 19-year-old student in Shanghai.
She was happy to see her idol in person but felt sorry that she could not manage to have his autograph.
Organizers are preparing a reception on Friday night after the race's first two free practices, and Schumacher, viewed by many Chinese as the spokesman for F1, will certainly be the leading actor.
Chinese Olympic champions Tian Liang and Guo Jingjing will join Schumacher at the beginning of the reception, delicately planned by the organizers to please Chinese spectators.
Only one day is left for drivers to adapt themselves to the track before Friday's practice session. In the following days, however, the drivers will have tight schedules with their teams and sponsors besides the race during their stay in Shanghai.
As the second new event added to this year's Formula One schedule, the race is a landmark for Formula one.
With China having a population of 1.3 billion, the race offers a big opportunity for Formula One teams and their sponsors to break into the biggest market on earth.
Shanghai, keen to embrace China's first-ever Formula one event, is putting the final touches in preparation. Workers are still busy on track to make sure temporary structures in position while 2,000 police plus another 2,000 security men will be disposed out and in the race venue.
The 5.4-kilometer-long track, designed by prolific German Hermann Tilke, was built at the cost of 320 million US dollars, according to the latest report.
Yet, whether local citizens will embrace it is another story. China has no car racing tradition to speak of, and ticket prices ranged from 370 yuan (about 45 US dollars) to 3,700 yuan (450 dollars), which was quite a sum for most Chinese.
The organizers said the tickets had been sold out, with 20 percent of the 15,000 tickets purchased by overseas fans.
Shanghai Chunqiu travel agency, the biggest ticketing agent for the race, said about 60 percent of the tickets they sold were purchased by companies and institutions to send out to their employees as an extra bonus while individual buyers were rarely seen.
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