Deal gets F1 fans on track

This year's Formula 1 season is proving a lot more enticing for Chinese fans - and not just because Mercedes' dominance is under threat from Red Bull and Ferrari.

Watching F1 was particularly difficult for fans here last year due to copyright issues, but Daniel Ricciardo's thrilling victory at Shanghai International Circuit last weekend was enjoyed by tens of millions of Chinese online, thanks to a new Tencent deal.

Tencent last week announced it has become F1's exclusive new-media broadcast partner in China for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, securing the live rights to 21 grand prix events, including practice runs and qualifying sessions.