The 2023 Formula 1 calendar has been finalised as the series confirmed the Chinese Grand Prix will not be replaced.
A record 24-event season was on the cards until last month when it was announced that China’s race at the Shanghai circuit – scheduled as round four on 16th April – had been cancelled. It is the fourth year in a row the race has been called off due to the country’s continued Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.Its place on the 2023 calendar was then left as a ‘to be announced’ slot, and China’s subsequent easing of restrictions led to speculation that the race could be reinstated. Meanwhile other venues lined up as potential replacements.
However F1 has now issued a statement confirming there will be no replacement event. It will hold 23 events this year, which is also a record.
“Formula 1 can confirm the 2023 season will consist of 23 races,” it said in a statement. “All existing race dates on the calendar remain unchanged.”
None of the existing race dates have been altered. It therefore leaves a gap of 25 days between the Australian Grand Prix on 2nd April and the start of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend on 28th April, which is the same length as the summer break between the Belgian and Dutch grands prix in July and August respectively.
Outside of that summer break, during which there is a mandated factory shutdown period, F1 has not had such a long gap between races since 2007 when there was also three weeks of no racing between the Bahrain and Spanish grands prix.
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Jere (@jerejj)
17th January 2023, 13:04
So apparently, even the reinstation option proved a no-go despite China lifting its entry restrictions.
I assume in fear of restrictions returning in time for the original weekend, which would force re-cancellation.
Another summer-break long interval isn’t the world’s end as a one-off thing.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
17th January 2023, 14:28
@jerejj – I think another reason is the onward travel from China – a number of Nations have taken the decision to restrict entry to their countries from China since China has abandoned their strict policing of Covid outbreaks.
Jere (@jerejj)
17th January 2023, 15:21
@ahxshades Good point, as this aspect could also make things unnecessarily challenging if UK, Italy, & or Switzerland implemented such measures.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
17th January 2023, 15:49
@jerejj yes – many places (including the UK) have already announced additional requirements for travelers from China: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Australia, Canada, Japan, USA to name but a few (relevant) ones that have have introduced additional COVID measures for arrivals from China (mostly just negative testing prior to departure).
Qeki (@qeki)
17th January 2023, 18:29
Finally something sensible from FIA
John Cousins (@drone)
17th January 2023, 22:16
Ship them all to Bathurst and lets have a Mt Panorama Shoot-out. 1 Car at a time. Fastest car gets 10 points counting down to 1 point for 10th fastest.
F1 Festival Australia
Do it.
sumedh
18th January 2023, 3:42
And yet we have 2 triple headers.