Formula One Races Ahead -- F1全速前进（二）

Formula One Races Ahead

——The world's leading motor sport attracts new fans in Asia.

F1 in Asia

        The Formula One Grand Prix, and annual series of 17-20 races, spans six continents. Once a largely European sport, F1 has now become popular in Asia, too. For several decades, Japan was the only country in Asia to host an F1 Grand Prix. In 1999, however, Malaysia’s Sepang circuit—with its long, straight runs and hairpin curve—welcomed its first F1 Grand Prix.

        Continuing this trend, F1 zoomed onto the Shanghai International Circuit in China three years ago. As interest in the auto industry grows, these yearly extravaganzas continue to attract Asian fans.

        Ethnic Chinese racecar driver Tung Ho-pin (董荷斌) has also increased interest in the sport. With his success in Formula 3 racing, he may soon become the first Chinese F1 racecar driver.

        The world’s third most–watched sporting competition after the Olympics and the World Cup, the Formula 1 Grand Prix races onward!

Word Bank

Span (v) 横跨

My grandma was born in 1927. Her life has spanned eight decades.

Zoom (v) 疾冲

Billy likes to zoom around the neighborhood on his bicycle. He really gets places quickly.

extravaganza (n) 盛典； 盛事

The Academy Awards ceremony is Hollywood’s biggest extravaganza of the year.

ethnic (adj) 种族的；种族特有的

I love food from other countries. My favorite ethnic foods are Korean and Malaysian.

More Information

circuit (n) 赛车场

hairpin (n) U型的，夹发针