Everytime you come here, you're impressed - Heidfeld

The BMW Sauber F1 Team starts its practice preparations at the "Shanghai International Circuit" on Friday. Nick Heidfeld is excited about the trip to China, and is looking forward to the Chinese metropolis.

Even before the Japanese Grand Prix, Nick was underway in Asia, completing some demonstration laps in the BMW Sauber F1.08 in Seoul, among other activities. "Shanghai will be the fifth Asian city I've visited in a row - after Singapore, Seoul, Gwang-ju and Tokyo - and each one is different," says Nick Heidfeld. "Shanghai is certainly the fastest-growing, and without doubt the city with the worst traffic conditions."

"Each time we come to Shanghai there are new skyscrapers, but every year a few of the old districts also disappear from the city centre," comments the 31-year-old, who is particularly fond of the track design at the "Shanghai International Circuit" on the outskirts of the city. "Every time you come here you're impressed by the huge scale of the paddock and grandstands. There is nothing else like it. All in all, I really like the circuit."

"The first three corners are among the best on the calendar," says Nick. He particularly likes the high speed, at which the drivers enter the first combination, saying: "The first corner remains pretty fast initially, but then it tightens up until you have to change down into second gear. Getting out the other end in good shape will be just a bit more difficult this year with the absence of traction control."