Preview: China Makes Debut as Villeneuve Returns

Formula One goes back to the future on Sunday with former champion Jacques Villeneuve making his race return in the first Grand Prix held in China.

With both titles won already by Ferrari and seven-times champion Michael Schumacher in the most one-sided season in years, the gleaming circuit outside Shanghai promises to be the star of the show.

The country's richest city has spent $325 million to ensure that the world's most populous nation, its rapidly-growing markets long courted by Formula One sponsors and carmakers, makes its debut with a splash.

The novelty factor will be a leveller, with the circuit unfamiliar to all drivers and designers saying the layout will offer plenty of overtaking opportunities. That should help Villeneuve, the 1997 champion with Williams, who is returning for Renault a year after he last raced for Honda-powered BAR.

"There are two ways of looking at it," said the Canadian, whose return has been a rare bright spot in a week overshadowed by gloom and uncertainty following Ford's announcement that they were quitting and selling their struggling Jaguar team.

"Firstly you can say that nobody else has been there before either so I won't be at a disadvantage. But on the other hand, in that situation, you could say you need as much experience as possible with the car and the tyres in order to concentrate on learning the track. I'm looking at it in a positive frame of mind."

BAR Beater

The Canadian has replaced Italian Jarno Trulli, who has joined Toyota but will not be racing in China, for the rest of the season before moving to Sauber in 2005.

His task is simple - to help Renault beat BAR to second place in the Constructors' Championship. BAR leapfrogged Renault at the last race in Italy and are three points clear with three races remaining.

"I am here to enjoy myself as well but the priority is to contribute to Renault's fight in the Championship," said Villeneuve. "It will be tough but sometimes you have to take the plunge."

Germany's Ralf Schumacher is also making his long-awaited comeback for Williams after missing the last six races following a big crash at Indianapolis three months ago. The grid will be further changed by Germany's Timo Glock turning out for Jordan after the team terminated Italian Giorgio Pantano's contract.

Glock is likely to be well down the order when the starting lights go out on Sunday, with the Ferraris of Schumacher and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello again the favourites for victory.

"It's nice that we can go into these last three races without any pressure, that's an ideal situation," said Schumacher, winner of 12 of the 15 races to date.

But teammate Barrichello, winner of the last race in Italy, also has his sights set on another win now that he is almost guaranteed of second place overall.

Jaguar, racing to find a buyer before Ford definitively pull the plug, will be looking to raise their game now that they are in the shop window.

"We've been expecting a decision from Ford for quite a while, and although we are disappointed by what has happened, it has put everything into focus for us," said managing director David Pitchforth.

"Everyone is now working extra hard and there has been some superhuman effort by everyone over these past few days. That will carry on as we work to keep the value of the company."