“Karting into School – Chinese GP” was successfully staged on Saturday 11 April at Shanghai International Circuit. 

25 students selected from Shanghai Xiehe International School had a friendly kart race on the track, after a demonstration was given by other young drivers from local kart clubs. After this, all students and young drivers were invited to visit the qualifying of the Chinese GP. The students were very excited and greatly enjoyed the spectacular performance of the motor sport’s top racing category. 

To give pupils a better understanding of karting and racing, FASC held a presentation for the children in their after school class at the end of March. Nearly 300 children, along with their teachers attended. After this presentation, an on the track training was run for 60 pupils who wanted to have a try at go-karting. 25 of the students gained the chance to have a closer experience of Formula One.

“FASC would like to introduce karting to kids, their teachers and their parents, making motor sport more accessible to the community” said by Mr Wan Heping, the Vice President & Secretary General of FASC. Mr Wan also said: “We want to take this opportunity to make a connection between our karting and the top F1 race in China. We hope our young drivers will receive more and more attention.”

The selected young drivers were led by Guanyu Zhou – the young Chinese driver signed by Ferrari’s Driver Academy – to have a photo opportunity in the paddock with Mr Bernie Ecclestone, famous F1 drivers and team leaders. The youngsters were excited to shake hands with these stars of motor sport, before being invited to visit the Ferrari pits.