Tickets for China GP in April go on sale

The 2009 Chinese Grand Prix is being moved up on the Formula One calendar as the season's third race to avoid a clash of dates with the inaugural ATP Masters series in Shanghai.

The F1 Chinese Grand Prix will be held from April 17 to 19 this year after Australia (March 27-29) and Malaysia (April 3-5).

In the previous five years, Shanghai staged the event in September and October.

Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, made the changes as per the wish of the host country.

"Last year, just before the Chinese GP, we got the schedule for both the two events. We spoke to Bernie (Ecclestone) about the possibility of changing the dates for the Chinese GP … Or else, the final of both the events would have been on the same date – October 18," said Yang Yibin, an official with Juss Event, a management company which handles both the Chinese GP and ATP series in Shanghai.

Ticket for the 2009 Chinese GP go on sale tomorrow.

The three-day ticket for the H and K stands on Turn 14 of the Shanghai Circuit will cost 1,980 Yuan (US$289), down from 2,580 Yuan, while tickets for the B stands on the first turn has been priced at 1,280 Yuan and 980 Yuan from its earlier 1,880 Yuan.

Those buying tickets between January 8 to February 14 will enjoy a further 10 percent discount. Race day ticket prices have also been slashed.