By Andrew Benson Motorsport editor

F1 will race in China for the first time in history this weekend

After superb races at two classic tracks, it is to be hoped novelty does not mean a return to drudgery at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.

Shanghai's ultra-modern, state-of-the-art new track hosts the communist country's first Formula One race and no-one knows quite what to expect.

Given Ferrari's spectacular one-two in Italy two weeks ago, another win for the red cars must be on the cards.

But the impact made by China's debut will be of just as much interest.

The country has spent some �168m transforming a swampy wasteland on the western outskirts of China's business capital into F1's most spectacular venue.

For China, it is the latest step in its quest to bring top events to a country that is slowly ending its decades-long isolationism, at least in business and sporting terms.

The circuit has been designed to maximise spectator viewing and racing excitement David Coulthard Map of China's new F1 track

For F1, it is an opportunity to open up a vast, virtually untapped market for the sport's sponsors and car makers.

"China is the Klondike, it's the new frontier," said David Richards, boss of the BAR team, whose owner the tobacco giant BAT is experienced at trying to exploit Asian markets.

The track has been designed by F1's in-house architect Hermann Tilke and loosely mirrors the Chinese character "shang", meaning upwards.

It can hold 200,000 spectators, and includes a spectacular bridge housing the media centre across the main straight.

BAR driver Jenson Button, who tested a car in Shanghai earlier this year, described the circuit's infrastructure as "staggering" and said the 3.39-mile track would be "physically challenging".

"It should be a good race; it looks like overtaking would be possible," the Englishman added.

Shanghai's new track has cost more than �160m

McLaren driver David Coulthard said: "I believe the Chinese Grand Prix will be one of the key events of the 2004 season.

"In addition to the sport visiting a country that is very different culturally and the enthusiasm that you always get with new fans, the circuit has been designed to maximise spectator viewing and racing excitement.

"Having looked at the plans there are a number of potential overtaking opportunities, the most obvious of which is under braking at the end of the long straight.

"We should be able to slipstream along the 1km stretch and get alongside before making our move.

"The general consensus is that the Shanghai International Circuit will be technically demanding from a set-up perspective and also quite tough physically."

Apart from the novelty of the track, there will be other interesting aspects of the weekend.

Villeneuve is returning to an F1 cockpit in China

Ralf Schumacher returns to action for Williams after a three-month break for injuries sustained in a crash at the US Grand Prix.

And, more intriguingly, former world champion Jacques Villeneuve will be racing in F1 for the first time this year.

The Canadian was dropped by BAR at the end of last season and has been picked up by Renault for the final three races after they grew fed up with the under-performing Jarno Trulli.

Villeneuve said he does not have any ill feelings towards his former team, who were set up around him in 1999, even though he acrimoniously parted company from BAR after four frustrating years.

Villeneuve's comeback promises to spice up the remainder of a season that has been one of the most boring in years.

The 33-year-old's battle with Renault's highly-rated driver Fernando Alonso will be fascinating.

But extra interest is added to his return because Renault and BAR are fighting for second place in the constructors' championship behind winners Ferrari.

"The BAR episode ended in a negative manner and left me a bit bitter and that's not good memories to have," Villeneuve said.

"Being away for a year cleaned all those problems and I think it will be much easier to be positive."