Bratches: F1 'highly interested' in adding second race in China

The Formula One Group ambitions to add a second Chinese race to the sport's calendar in the near future, with a street event seen as the most likely eventuality.

F1's popularity in China has consistently increased since the country hosted its first Grand Prix back in 2004 and has gained widespread recognition in Shanghai where the F1 world championship's 1000th race took place last weekend.

According to a report from the AFP, Formula 1's representatives will be talking with six local governments in China this week in a bid to move forward with the sport's future plans which could center around the country's sprawling capital, Beijing.

• Scenes from the paddock - Shanghai

"In terms of interest, we would be highly interested in a street race," F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches told the AFP last weekend in Shanghai.

"It would be a nice juxtaposition to the purpose-built, extraordinary facility that we have here

"Our intent is to bring our show to the people."

Bratches confirmed that F1 representatives are visiting six potential host cities this week in China.

"There's meetings set up in each with government officials to talk about identifying a second city to host a Grand," Bratches said.

"We think there's an opportunity to grow from that perspective."

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