China takes the rains

Last season's F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai was held in October whereas the 2009 race was held in April. According to official statistics, the average rainfall in Shanghai during April is likely to be almost double that in October. This year's race was therefore - predictably - run in heavy rain, almost breaching F1's two hour rule as a result of the atrocious conditions. Should the race have been rescheduled from October with the above information in mind? Or was it a sensible decision to have a race in April as it coincided with races in Malaysia, Australia and Bahrain, thus reducing the travelling times and distances faced by F1 teams, a particularly important issue in these times of F1 austerity? And what does the China GP decision tell us about the issues and challenges faced in scheduling sporting events?