Formula 1 is "in talks with potential Chinese partners to set up a new local venture," which would "help it push deeper into the huge but still nascent China market," according to Li & Baldwin of REUTERS. Sources said that Liberty Media spoke with Chinese firms including Inter Milan owner Suning and La Liga rights holder DDMC to "form a joint venture that would help manage business development in China." A third person said that the search for a local Chinese partner "was in the advanced stages," but did not name any of the partners. A fourth person confirmed the talks over a China joint venture but said that "nothing has been finalised." An F1 spokesperson confirmed the search for a local partner "but gave no further details." F1 has held a grand prix in Shanghai since '04. There has been talk about China "having two rounds of the championship in the future." The sport announced in '17 it was "teaming up" with marketing agency Lagardère Sports to "build strategic partnerships in China from this year." DDMC did not reply to a request for comment. Suning declined to comment (REUTERS, 4/13). MOTORSPORT WEEK's Graham Harris reported F1 "widened its broadcast reach in China" in time for this past weekend's grand prix in Shanghai through three new TV rights deals. Chinese internet company Tencent became a new digital media partner in the Chinese market. The partnership will "enable Chinese fans to follow the races live on PC and mobile platforms." In addition to the Tencent deal, F1 also signed agreements with local regional broadcasters Guangdong TV and Shanghai TV. Guangdong TV will provide free-to-air coverage in the Cantonese language and Shanghai TV will offer additional exposure in the region (MOTORSPORT WEEK, 4/13).
MAY DEADLINE: REUTERS' Abhishek Takle reported Liberty Media wants a decision on post-'20 engine regulations to be decided by the end of May, Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene said. Liberty made a presentation to the teams and FIA in Bahrain last week. Arrivabene: "They give us a deadline for the end of May, I think. I hope that this deadline is going to be respected. It's a bit early somehow, but it's far ... from another point of view, a technical point of view, concerning the engine" (REUTERS, 4/13).
'FUEL SAVING': GMM reported F1 "may be on the cusp" of ending the era of "fuel saving." In the hybrid era, the sport has gotten used to drivers using the "lift and coast" tactic to get their limited fuel load to the checkered flag. But Auto Motor und Sport reported at the forthcoming strategy group meeting on April 17, a proposal to "scrap the fuel limit altogether will be discussed." At the "very least, an increase in the fuel limit may be on the cards" (GMM, 4/14).
