Chinese GP agrees new deal and date change

The Chinese Grand Prix has been secured on the 2018 Formula 1 calendar and is set to take place a week earlier after agreeing a three-year contract extension.

The race was facing an uncertain future with its current deal ending after this year's edition, resulting in it appearing as subject to confirmation on the 2018 calendar. It has now been confirmed that the race will remain at the Shanghai International Circuit until 2020, with a tweak to next year's date.

Due to a Chinese holiday, the race has provisionally been swapped with the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Bahrain now becoming the second round of the season on April 8 as the first of a back-to-back pairing with Shanghai on April 15. The change needs to be approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

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"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement which will see the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix continue as a fixture of the Formula 1 World Championship for at least a further three years," Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey said.

"This great country has already demonstrated an overwhelming show of interest in our sport and we firmly believe there is still a great deal of unexplored potential here. That's why this renewed agreement is so important as part of our development strategy, especially in this part of the world.

"We and our partners in this venture want to make this Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix even more spectacular, while bringing Chinese fans ever closer to the sport. Finally, we wish to thank the Shanghai Municipal Government for the support it has given and continues to give to the Grand Prix, which has been a crucial element of its success."

Jiang Lan, chairman of race promoter Shanghai Juss Sports Development (Group), says the organizers will focus on growing Formula 1 in China over the coming years.

"The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious and recognized events on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar," Lan said. "Since its Shanghai debut in 2004, the Formula 1 Chinese F1 Grand Prix has become a motorsport show piece for China but also a fixture for all of Asia Pacific's and global motorsports fans. It is the most highly anticipated annual event in the city of Shanghai.

"As the promoter of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai Juss Sports Development (Group) is delighted to announce an agreement to host the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix for three more years. Shanghai Juss Sports will continue to apply all efforts and resources to promote and grow the Formula 1 popularity in the future.

"The group is pleased to renew the Formula 1 host and promoter commitment, as it provides us an opportunity to stage the world's 'Top In Class' international sports events and showcase the city of Shanghai as a truly global city."