Shanghai - Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has opened talks with Shanghai authorities over extending the contract for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The current deal runs out next year and poor spectator numbers and corporate interest have put the viability of the race in doubt amid questions over whether local authorities will fund a contract extension.

"We are here forever. As long as there is China, we will be here," Ecclestone said. "It is a fantastic race. Everything is good here. It shows the world what we can do in China."

Ecclestone wants local businesses to support the race more, in the wake of oil company Sinopec withdrawing its sponsorship.
Ecclestone is bullish about the future of F1 in Asia, with South Korea and India due to be added to the schedule.

"When I decided to bring F1 to Asia everyone said I was mad," Ecclestone said. "It is super. Asia is growing and lots of parts of the world are dying."

Meanwhile Toyota's Jarno Trulli is raising money for the victims of the earthquake that struck Italy's Abruzzo region on April 6, killing 294 people and destroying thousands of buildings.

Trulli says he’s looking for disaster relief items as well as cash.

"More than 100 000 people left with nothing - no houses, no jobs, families. It must be really hard," he said. "For once in my life, I will probably go and knock on everyone's door to raise money."