Formula One confirms RECORD 23-race calendar despite cancelling the Chinese Grand Prix

Sports
By James

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Formula One confirms a RECORD 23-race schedule despite canceling the Chinese Grand Prix and failing to replace the Shanghai venue that has now lost four consecutive seasons following the Covid outbreak

  • Formula One bosses had planned to stage a 24-race campaign by 2023
  • A Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao had lined up to replace China
  • But the plans fell through due to logistical problems revolving around the Chinese date.
  • The Chinese Grand Prix could not be saved despite moving away from zero-Covid
  • The 2023 campaign will be in Bahrain at the Sakhir Circuit on March 5.

By Alan Baldwin, Reuters

Published: | Updated:

Formula One will have a four-week gap in this season’s calendar after the sport’s bosses confirmed the Chinese Grand Prix would not be replaced.

The race in Shanghai, which was due to take place on April 16, was canceled last month amid ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the country.

Despite Chinese officials subsequently backing away from their zero-covid policy, the round could not be saved, marking the fourth season in which it had been removed from the racing calendar.

Formula One confirms RECORD 23 race calendar despite cancelling the Chinese

1673960775 875 Formula One confirms RECORD 23 race calendar despite cancelling the Chinese

F1 executives evaluated a number of options to fill the vacant position, with Portimao in the Algarve seen as the main contender.

But the sport’s bosses decided not to have the logistical headache of detouring to Portugal after the third round of the season in Melbourne, Australia, on April 2, and then to Azerbaijan.

F1 is believed to have explored the opportunity to move the race in Baku up a week, but it was confirmed on Tuesday that the April 30 meeting will not be moved.

1673960776 742 Formula One confirms RECORD 23 race calendar despite cancelling the Chinese

SEASON OF 23 F1 RACES

March 5: Bahrain GP (Sakhir)

March 9: Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah)

April 2: Australian GP (Albert Park)

April 30: Azerbaijan GP (Baku)

May 7: Miami GP (Miami Speedway)

May 21: Emilia Romagna GP (Imola)

May 28: Monaco GP (Monte Carlo)

June 4: Spanish GP (Catalonia)

June 18: Canadian GP (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve)

July 2: Austrian GP (Red Bull Ring)

July 9: British GP (Silverstone)

July 23: Hungarian GP (Hungaroring)

July 30: Belgian GP (Esp)

August 27: Dutch GP (Zandvoort)

September 3: Italian GP (Monza)

September 17: Singapore GP (Marina Bay)

September 24: Japanese GP (Suzuka)

October 8: Qatar GP (Lusail)

October 22: US GP (Circuit of the Americas)

October 29: GP of Mexico City (Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez)

November 5: Sao Paulo GP (Interlagos)

November 18: Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas)

November 26: Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina)

The season begins in Bahrain on March 5, and concludes in Abu Dhabi on November 26, and features a record 23 rounds, one more than last year.

F1 said in a statement: “Formula One can confirm that the 2023 season will consist of 23 races. All existing race dates on the calendar remain unchanged.”

The 10 teams on the grid will unveil their new machines next month ahead of the sport’s only pre-season test which takes place over three days in Bahrain, starting on February 23.

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