Motor Sports

Why there won’t be a Chinese Grand Prix in 2023

by
Teresa Mwangi
April 15, 2023

Chinese Grand Prix. Photo/Sky News

F1 cancelled the Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for April 16, 2023
It was cancelled in December 2022
Formula One made attempts to replace it but it was not worth the trouble

There are unending questions regarding a decision by F1 to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for April 16, 2023.

FIA cancelled the race in December 2022 leaving many Formula One fans with multiple questions regarding this turn of events.

Due to this, F1 fans will now have to wait over a month for another grand prix. On April 2, the Australian Grand Prix went down in Melbourne and. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the lead and was closely followed by Lewis Hamilton.

But, why was the Chinese Grand Prix cancelled yet 2023 would be the first time in four years that the race would be returning to the Asian country?

The cancellation was due to China’s implementation of a zero-Covid policy. Upon weighing options, the F1 governing body resolved that it was impossible to hold a race at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2023.

Chinese Grand Prix. Photo/CNN

There were attempts to schedule a race to replace the Chinese Grand Prix, but it was announced in January 2023 that no such race would be held, ensuring a 23-race schedule for 2023.

In a statement, F1 said it held talks with the promoter of the event but it proved difficult due to the stringent Covid-19 protocols in place.

“Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the Covid-19 situation,” read part of the statement.

It added: “Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”

In response to the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix, Formula 1 issued a statement that read: “Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 situation.”

“Formula 1 is evaluating alternative options to fill the time slot on the calendar for 2023 and will provide an update on this in due course,” the statement reads.

Several countries had expressed interest in filling the empty spot left the Chinese Grand Prix.

Nonetheless, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, said that they decided against this because the cost impact of adding another grand prix outweighed the financial gain F1 would get from it.

Stefano Domenicali. Photo/EuroSport

He cited F1 logistical arrangements as an expensive affair that informed F1 of its decision not to add another country to the circuit.

“The 23-race calendar is a record for F1. We made the decision not to replace China on the calendar [as] the economic benefit of a replacement race was not worth the logistical and sustainability considerations for F1 and our teams,” Domenicali stated.

The last of the Chinese Grand Prix was held in 2019 as F1 celebrated a 1000^th race which Hamilton won with his Mercedes car.

Teresa Mwangi

Teresa is a journalist with years of experience in creating web content. She is a wanderlust at heart, but an outgoing sports writer with focus on tennis, athletics, football, motorsports and NBA.

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Why there won’t be a Chinese Grand Prix in 2023

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More in Motor Sports

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: What to expect this weekend

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