The earthquake that struck China weeks earlier was a moderate one, registering 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale. It happened on the outskirts of the city, Luzhou, causing notable structural damage and a handful of landslides along the hilly terrains surrounding the region.
Many who were traveling to the country requested images in advance to discern the level of damage, and if it could raise any true concern for the Chinese Grand Prix.
But the Shanghai International Circuit was hundreds of kilometers away. The tremor had no geological connection, and no aftershocks were expected to reach the metropolitan area, as diagnosed by the Chinese seismologists.
Just to assure safety and calm the public's anxiety, the FOM and the Chinese authorities conducted inspections and prescribed protocols to all bodies involved in the motorsport event. The city was safe for tourism.
