F1 hoping to swap China and Bahrain on 2018 calendar

Formula 1 commercial chief Sean Bratches has confirmed that efforts are being made to swap the dates for next year’s races in China and Bahrain in order to avoid clashing with a national holiday.

China was listed as the second round of the season when the provisional 2018 calendar was issued at the end of June, taking up a slot on April 8, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled one week later on April 15.

However, F1’s bosses are eager to swap the races around in order to prevent the race in Shanghai taking place on a national holiday weekend in China, potentially having a negative impact on gate figures.

“We’re trying to take into account global events, local events, religious holidays and things to ensure we’re maximising the opportunity for fans to attend the grands prix,” Bratches told Reuters.

“We’re talking to both of them to that end and if we can reach a mutually agreed upon solution, which appears to be on track to happen. You’ll probably see that.”

Next year’s F1 calendar will feature a record-equalling 21 races following the return of France and Germany and the loss of Malaysia.

The final version of the 2018 F1 calendar will be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council at its next meeting in early December