COVID quiver Chinese Grand Prix yet again!

Article posted by Coliseum, January 20^th, 2023

Image: F1

Formula 1 has formally confirmed a 23-race season for 2023 after opting not to replace the canceled Chinese Grand Prix.

‘sky sports’ stated that discussions were held with numerous promoters about filling the April 16^th slot – with Turkey and Portugal mooted – but the decision means there will be a four-week gap between the third and fourth rounds of the season.

St James’s Market, London (UK)-based Formula One is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

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The Chinese Grand Prix is a round of the Formula One World Championship and was contracted to return in 2023 but will now not do so until 2024 at the earliest. It is currently held at the Shanghai International Circuit, Jiading, Shanghai, designed by Hermann Tilke.

The 200,000-capacity Shanghai International Circuit is a motorsport race track, situated in the Jiading District, Shanghai (China). The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Chinese Grand Prix which was hosted from 2004 to 2019 and was scheduled again from 2024 onwards, but its race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘sky sports’ further stated that the Australian Grand Prix takes place on April 2^nd and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30^th.

All 23 races – an F1 record – are live on Sky Sports F1. An F1 statement read, “Formula 1 can confirm that the 2023 season will consist of 23 races. That means the season will kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5^th, and finish up in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on November 26^th, with the brand new Las Vegas (US) Grand Prix joining the calendar a week before the season finale.”

The Chinese Grand Prix was canceled for the fourth year in a row at the beginning of December due to strict COVID measures.

The sport had been set to return to China for the first time since 2019, but with the country till not very long back continuing to implement a zero-COVID policy, which had led to heavy restrictions and continued lockdown, F1 decided it was not feasible to hold a race at the Shanghai International Circuit.

China lifted its zero COVID policy in December 2022 following crippling of the economy and nationwide protests. However, with the country witnessing rise in coronavirus cases, the coast is still not clear to host a racing showpiece.

F1 2023 starts with pre-season testing on February 23^rd-25^th before the first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, starting off on March 5^th.

The 10 F1 teams will unveil their new cars in February ahead of a sole pre-season test, which takes place over three days in Bahrain from February 23^rd.

Confirmed 2023 Calendar

March 5^th – Bahrain (the 70,000-capacity Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir);
March 19^th – Saudi Arabia (the 143,000-capacity Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia);
April 2^nd – Australia (the 125,000-capacity Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne);
April 30^th – Azerbaijan (the 18,500-capacity Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan)*;
May 7^th – Miami (USA) (the 65,000-capacity Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, US);
May 21^st – Emilia-Romagna, Italy (the 78,000-capacity Imola Circuit in Imola);
May 28^th – Monaco (the 37,000-capacity Circuit de Monaco in Principality of Monaco [country in Europe]);
June 4^th – Spain (the 1,40,700-capacity Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain);
June 18^th – Canada (the 1,00,000-capacity Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal);
July 2^nd – Austria (the 105,000-capacity Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria)*;
July 9^th – Great Britain (the 1,50,000 Silverstone Circuit in England, UK);
July 23^rd – Hungary (the 70,000-capacity Hungaroring in Budapest);
July 30^th – Belgium (the 70,000-capacity Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot)*;
August 27^th – Netherlands (the 105,000-capacity Circuit Zandvoort in Zandvoort);
September 3^rd – Italy (the 1,18,865-capacity Monza Circuit in Monza);
September 17^th – Singapore (the >90,000 Marina Bay Street Circuit in Marina Bay);
September 24^th – Japan (the 1,55,000-capacity Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka);
October 8^th – Qatar (the 8,000-capacity Losail International Circuit in Doha)*;
October 22^nd – USA (the 1,50,000-capacity Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas)*;
October 29^th – Mexico (the 1,10,000-capacity Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico);
November 5^th – Brazil (the 60,000-capacity Interlagos in São Paulo)*;
November 18^th – Las Vegas (US) (temporary street circuit including the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada); and
November 26^th – Abu Dhabi (UAE) (the 60,000-capacity Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island).

*indicates Sprint weekend

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