Exclusive: China will open Asia series

Teams received the calendar during a meeting at Silverstone this morning, and it begins in Shanghai on October 18/19.

Japan was the other event that could have taken the slot, but it is understood that a lack of preseason testing time at the Fuji track was a deciding factor.

Other F1 support dates are as last year: Sepang in Malaysia and Sakhir in Bahrain. This delivers on series chief Bruno Michel's promise of three F1 supports in the series.

Bahrain will also host a standalone race, taking over the slot of Sentul in Indonesia, which was roundly condemned in the paddock earlier this year for its lack of facilities. It is likely to happen towards the end of January, although the exact date has yet to be decided.

Dubai Autodrome in the UAE will again host two events, but this time in the middle of the season, rather than bookending it.

The schedule has been well received by the team bosses. One told autosport.com: "The first race is quite soon after we finish the main series, so that will keep us busy. It's nice that there's then a bit of a gap, so we can take a breather. It's a good calendar."

The full schedule:

October 18/19     Shanghai, China *
December 5/6      Dubai, UAE
January 23/24     Sakhir, Bahrain (date TBC)
February 27/28    Dubai, UAE
April 4/5         Sepang, Malaysia *
April 18/19       Sakhir, Bahrain *

* F1 support race