htmlOn June 19, the official FIA of F1 announced the 2018 F1 calendar. There are 21 events in the new season, one more than this year. Among them, the Chinese Grand Prix, which has not yet been renewed, is listed, and the French Grand Prix, which has been away from F1 for nine years and the German Grand Prix that has withdrawn from the 2015 season, is also among them. Lazy Bear Sports immediately confirmed to Jiushi Group, the organizer of the Chinese Grand Prix, that the other party stated that the senior management of the two parties is currently negotiating on matters related to the contract and has not announced the latest progress.
According to the new calendar released by FIA, the Chinese Grand Prix will be held after the opening match of the Australian Grand Prix on April 8, which is similar to the time held in previous years. It is worth mentioning that the newly returned French Grand Prix is scheduled to be held on June 24, and the Austrian and British Grand Prix will be held in the next two weeks, which is the first time in F1 history that there have been three consecutive matches. The final battle will still be held in Abu Dhabi, and the time is scheduled for November 25. The contract between
F1 and Jiushi expires this year, and the two parties have not publicly renewed the contract. In the "Shanghai Sports Industry Development Implementation Plan (2016-2020)" issued by the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government at the beginning of this year, it was clearly stated that it is necessary to "improve the operational capabilities and comprehensive benefits of the eight major events", among which the F1 China Grand Prix is also included. During last year's China Grand Prix, General Manager of Jiushi Jiang Lan said in an interview with the media that "no big problem is the renewal of the contract between the two parties." Now it seems that the renewal of the contract between the two parties is close to completion, and it is only a matter of time before the announcement is made.
In 2003, F1 and Jiushi signed the first seven-year contract, which took effect the following year. The two parties renewed their signatures in 2011. Although there is no big problem with renewal of the contract between the two parties this time, the relevant details of the contract may have changed. There has been news that the high annual hosting costs have led to years of losses in the event, and a long time spent in the new contract period may win more rights. (Related reading: New boss, contract year, broadcasting has not yet been settled, F1 and its critical moment in China Grand Prix)
Last September, the American Free Media Group announced that it had acquired F1 for a large sum of US$8.5 billion. They also announced in January this year that Chez Carey, former executive vice chairman of 21st Century Fox Group, replaced Bernie Eccleston , who has been in charge of F140. After taking over F1, Free Media made a clear statement that it hopes to expand the calendar to 25 stops, and will do its best to keep every existing stop.
Attachment: 2018 season F1 schedule:
