F1 agrees in principal to new Chinese GP deal

A new deal to keep the Chinese GP on the Formula 1 schedule in 2018 should be signed and sealed within weeks.

F1's 2018 calendar which was released in June had both China and Singapore marked as provisional, but the sport's commercial director Sean Bratches has alleviated any worries linked to the former.

"We’ve been working hard with Juss Event, the promoter, and we’ve got an agreement in principle," said Bratches in Shanghai.

"My suspicion is that it will be executed by the end of next month, fully executed."

• Singapore closes in on new F1 deal

Bratches also underscored F1's will to release its race schedule as early as possible as part of efforts to make Formula 1 more fan and sponsor-friendly.

"Next year the schedule will be released and there will be nothing provisional about Shanghai because we will have a long-term deal," he added.

The Chinese GP held its inaugural race at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2004.

Singapore has yet to secure an agreement with F1 but local promoter Colin Syn recently disclosed that the event was also close to concluding a new deal for 2018 and beyond.

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