Chinese Grand Prix secures new F1 deal

The Shanghai race is currently listed as 'subject to confirmation' on the draft calendar produced by the FIA, but talks have been ongoing recently to sort a new deal after its contract ran out this year.

Sources have now suggested that a deal to keep F1 at the Shanghai International Circuit until 2020 has now been sorted, with an announcement about the deal expected imminently.

China first held a grand prix in 2004, and had originally been expected to host the second round of the '18 F1 season.

It is understood that it will swap dates with Bahrain, so will now move back to April 15.

Confirmation of that switch is expected to come later in the year following ratification from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The original April 8 date was not ideal for Shanghai because it wanted to avoid a national holiday when many local residents left the city.

A slight shift of date could help the grand prix avoid the worst of the rainy season.