Formula One has confirmed that it will not replace the canceled Chinese Grand Prix this year, meaning there will be 23 races this season instead of 24 as planned.
F1 canceled this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled for April 16, last December due to “continuous difficulties caused by the Covid-19 situation.” China has relaxed its COVID-free policy since that decision was made, but the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases means there is still uncertainty about future restrictions.
F1 is unwilling to return to China, where the last race was held in 2019, if there are doubts that the team and staff can move to and operate within the country easily. ESPN sources also cited political unrest late last year as the cause of the accelerated decision to cancel the race.
Key dates for F1’s 2023 season
At the time of the cancellation, F1 said it was in talks with a number of possible alternatives, including Portugal’s Portimao circuit, but it would not cut the deal just because of 24 races.
In a short statement on Tuesday, F1 confirmed the Chinese Grand Prix would not be replaced and all other dates on the calendar would remain the same.
“Formula One can confirm the 2023 season will include 23 races,” it said. “All race dates currently on the calendar remain unchanged.”
The absence of the Chinese Grand Prix leaves an unusual four-week gap between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30.
The calendar will then enter a dense phase with five races in six weeks, including back-to-back races in Azerbaijan and Miami, and a three-man race in Italy, Monaco and Spain.
