Interesting . . . A massive investigation of corruption in Shanghai has spread to the sporting world, implicating the host of the city's Formula One Grand Prix, state media said on Wednesday. Yu Zhifei, general manager of Shanghai International Circuit Co., was "assisting investigations" into a scandal involving the city's social security system and breaches of rules in running his company, the official Shanghai Securities News reported. The Chinese Grand Prix, last held early this month, is staged with government support on a $350 million track outside Shanghai which is operated by Shanghai International Circuit. Senior officials of the company, contacted by telephone, declined to comment on the report. A team of over 100 investigators is probing suspicions that some of Shanghai's social security funds, which total over 10 billion yuan, were siphoned off in illicit loans and investments. The scandal has implicated at least 10 city officials and businessmen, including the head of Shanghai's Communist Party Chen Liangyu, who was dismissed late last month. Yu, 54, is a flamboyant figure who moved from running a small manufacturing company to controlling a Shanghai soccer club before he took the racing job. He brought Manchester United to Shanghai to play against his club in 1999. The newspaper said Shanghai's holding of the Formula One race in future would not be jeopardised by the scandal. Authorities postponed summoning Yu for questioning until after this year's race to avoid affecting it, the newspaper added. Chen Liangyu was a major driving force behind the construction of two major sporting facilities in Shanghai, the race track and the $150 million Qi Zhong tennis centre which hosts the prestigious Masters Cup tournament next month. Carol
