Full Throttle

The Shanghai Grand Prix has had a run on ticket sales prompted by rumors of the imminent retirement of Michael Schumacher.

Ticket sales for the second Chinese Grand Prix, which closes the 2005 Formula One season, have received an unexpected boost as fans try to buy up seats to witness Michael Schumacher’s final race.

Chinese whispers (naturally!) on the streets - and newspapers - of Shanghai have convinced the local population that the seven-time champion may be about to call time on his career, prompting a rush for tickets. Grandstands are apparently close to selling out, with general admission tickets also being snapped up quickly. The official line on Schumacher - from both Ferrari and the German’s own camp - is that he will not make any decision on his future until next March, but the chances of him quitting before then - or before the end of 2006 - remain remote.

Ya gotta love the Chinese. Isn’t it enough their booming economy and double digit gains in cars sales each month have fueled the current energy shortage.

Now they’re going to spawn a crop of rumor fueled ticket scalpers!

Formula One, Shanghai Grand Prix, Sports