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

Formula One confirms RECORD 23-race calendar despite cancelling the Chinese Grand Prix and not replacing the Shanghai venue that has now missed four consecutive seasons following the Covid outbreak

Formula One chiefs had planned on staging a 24-race campaign for 2023
A Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao had been lined up to replace China
But plans fell through due to logistical concerns rounds circling Chinese date
Chinese Grand Prix could not be salvaged despite moving away from zero-Covid
The 2023 campaign will being in Bahrain at the Sakhir Circuit on March 5

By Alan Baldwin, Reuters

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

The race in Shanghai – which had been due to take place on April 16 – was cancelled last month amid ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the country.

Despite Chinese officials subsequently moving away from their zero-Covid policy, the round could not be salvaged, marking the fourth season it has been scrubbed from the racing schedule.

The Chinese Grand Prix has once again been axed for the 2023 Formula One season

The Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao previously won twice by Lewis Hamilton (above) was lined up to replace the cancelled event at the Shanghai circuit

F1 executives assessed a number of options to fill the vacant slot – with Portimao in the Algarve understood to be the main contender.

But the sport’s chiefs decided against the logistical headache of diverting to Portugal following the third round of the season in Melbourne, Australia on April 2, and then on to Azerbaijan.

It is believed F1 explored the opportunity of bringing the race in Baku forward by a week, but it was confirmed on Tuesday that the fixture on April 30 will not be moved.

Bahrain will host the first race of the 2023 season at the Sakhir Circuit on March 5

F1’S RECORD 23-RACE SEASON

Mar 5: Bahrain GP (Sakhir)

Mar 9: Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah)

Apr 2: Australian GP (Albert Park)

Apr 30: Azerbaijan GP (Baku)

May 7: Miami GP (Miami Autodrome)

May 21: Emilia Romagna GP (Imola)

May 28: Monaco GP (Monte Carlo)

Jun 4: Spanish GP (Catalunya)

Jun 18: Canadian GP (Gilles Villeneuve Circuit)

Jul 2: Austrian GP (Red Bull Ring)

Jul 9: British GP (Silverstone)

Jul 23: Hungarian GP (Hungaroring)

Jul 30: Belgian GP (Spa)

Aug 27: Dutch GP (Zandvoort)

Sep 3: Italian GP (Monza)

Sep 17: Singapore GP (Marina Bay)

Sep 24: Japanese GP (Suzuka)

Oct 8: Qatar GP (Lusail)

Oct 22: US GP (Circuit of the Americas)

Oct 29: Mexico City GP (Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez)

Nov 5: Sao Paulo GP (Interlagos)

Nov 18: Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas)

Nov 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 the 2023 season will consist of 23 races. All existing race dates on the calendar remain unchanged.”

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

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