Chinese Grand Prix to stay in F1 until at least 2030 as Zhou Guanyu leaves the grid
Kick Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu of China walks through paddock ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Darko Bandic]
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Chinese Grand Prix will stay on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2030 following a contract extension. The deal was struck even though F1’s first Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu is without a race seat next year. F1’s previous contract to race at the Shanghai International Circuit had been due to run out next year. In a statement announcing the extension, F1 claimed a “fanbase” of 150 million people in China and said most had started to follow F1 in the last four years.
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FILE Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico crosses the finish line to place third at the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andres Martinez Casares