China Grand Prix confirmed

Plans for the new circuit are unveiled in Shanghai

China will make its debut on the Formula One calendar in 2004.

FIA president Max Mosley has confirmed that a new seven-year deal has been agreed for Shanghai to host a Grand Prix.

China will join recently announced Bahrain in staging a grand prix from 2004 as Formula One expands beyond its European heartland.

Currently, 11 of the 17 races are held in Europe.

Belgium, Austria and Imola, which hosts the San Marino Grand Prix, are believed to be the tracks most likely to make way for the newcomers.

Formula One should have a home in the world's largest nation

FIA president Max Mosley

Mosley said: "It has been my ambition since becoming FIA president, that Formula One should have a home in the world's largest nation.

"That ambition will be realised in 2004 when the world of Formula One will arrive in Shanghai."

Work has already begun on a 3.39-mile track in Shanghai, China's richest city.

The $240m circuit will hold 200,000 spectators and is due to be completed in March 2004.

The new track is expected to cost $240m

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to hold a Chinese Grand Prix at the new track from 2004 to 2010.

Malaysia gained its own race in 1999, and the US GP made a comeback at Indianapolis in 2000 after a 10-year absence.

A new circuit outside Moscow is scheduled to be finished by next year and India, Dubai, Egypt and Turkey are also vying to join the F1 calendar in 2004.

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Formula One will not be the first motorsport to attempt to break into the world's biggest potential market.

The World Rally Championship visited China in 1999 and the MotoGP series hopes to welcome 500,000 fans to the foot of the Great Wall of China in 2004.

Mosley, though is sure that the Chinese circuit will prove to be a major success.

"The mayor of Shanghai and the chairman of the circuit company have demonstrated to me the commitment of everyone here to make this circuit a major global attraction."