World Cup final key reason for 2018 triple header

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has revealed that the 2018 FIFA World Cup final played a part in deciding on the triple-header that will feature on next year's calendar. Yesterday, the FIA released the provisional race dates for next season, with France, Austria and Great Britain all running consecutively. 

The triple header runs from the 24th of June to the 8th of July, with the World Cup final taking place the weekend following the British Grand Prix, the 15th. With soccer being the most popular sport in the world, Carey knew there would be controversy if the British Grand Prix was held on the same weekend as the fixture.

"We've got a bit of a unique element, with three weeks in a row," Carey said. "It is somewhat dictated by the World Cup being in the afternoon, so that would be tough for a [Grand Prix] promoter to be running a race head-to-head with a World Cup final."

Also a hot talking point on the calendar was the Grands Prix of China and Singapore. Both races are not yet officially confirmed for this season, and could yet fall from the calendar, making next year a 19-race season.

"Our expectation and goal is to have a race," Carey continued. "The reason is the contracts were up this year, so we're negotiating new agreements, so those agreements aren't completed, but we're having good discussions.

"We haven't even had this year's Singapore Grand Prix, let alone next year's, so it's just the reality of having agreements that have come up [to be renewed]. We wouldn't have put it out if we didn't expect it to be 21."

Fergal Walsh