F1 has not raced in China since 2019 due to the country’s travel restrictions as it continues to pursue a zero-Covid policy, which recently sparked protests in a number of major cities.
The Chinese Grand Prix was on the 2023 calendar for April 16, but was still conditional on restrictions being eased in time for F1 to enter the country and stage the race smoothly.
In a statement on Friday, F1 said China would not go ahead next year, but confirmed it was evaluating other options as a replacement cycle.
“Formula 1 can confirm, after dialogue with the promoter and the relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the continuing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation,” the statement read.
“Formula 1 is evaluating alternative options to replace the 2023 calendar slot and will provide an update on this in due course.”
Grandstand atmosphere at the Shanghai International Circuit
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
China’s cancellation leaves a four-week gap in the calendar between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30.
F1 had hoped to advance Azerbaijan to close the gap, but Baku officials insisted they stick to the date agreed on the calendar in talks with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
He has now left F1 to look for other races that could join the calendar as a replacement for China, which would keep the calendar at its maximum of 24 events next year.
One option could be a return to Portimao, which hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix as a replacement race in 2020 and 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced widespread cancellations on the calendar.
But no firm decision has yet been made and isn’t expected for at least a few weeks, with a number of other leads also interested in taking the spot. Although a European race is likely to take the place, one of the challenges F1 faces is arranging freight between air flights in Australia and Azerbaijan, and the various costs involved.
F1 has not raced in China since 2019 due to the country’s travel restrictions as it continues to pursue a zero-Covid policy, which recently sparked protests in a number of major cities.
The Chinese Grand Prix was on the 2023 calendar for April 16, but was still conditional on restrictions being eased in time for F1 to enter the country and stage the race smoothly.
In a statement on Friday, F1 said China would not go ahead next year, but confirmed it was evaluating other options as a replacement cycle.
“Formula 1 can confirm, after dialogue with the promoter and the relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the continuing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation,” the statement read.
“Formula 1 is evaluating alternative options to replace the 2023 calendar slot and will provide an update on this in due course.”
Grandstand atmosphere at the Shanghai International Circuit
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
China’s cancellation leaves a four-week gap in the calendar between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30.
F1 had hoped to advance Azerbaijan to close the gap, but Baku officials insisted they stick to the date agreed on the calendar in talks with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
He has now left F1 to look for other races that could join the calendar as a replacement for China, which would keep the calendar at its maximum of 24 events next year.
One option could be a return to Portimao, which hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix as a replacement race in 2020 and 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced widespread cancellations on the calendar.
But no firm decision has yet been made and isn’t expected for at least a few weeks, with a number of other leads also interested in taking the spot. Although a European race is likely to take the place, one of the challenges F1 faces is arranging freight between air flights in Australia and Azerbaijan, and the various costs involved.