Formula 1’s 2023 calendar has been set at 23 grands prix after championship organisers confirmed that China will not be replaced.
Formula 1 last year presented a 24-event schedule for 2023 with China placed as the fourth round of the season on April 16.
The event was subsequently cancelled owing to the situation in the country but China went on to revoke its strict Covid Zero policy and has since re-opened its borders.
It prompted authorities in China to push to reinclude the event on the 2023 schedule, with promoter Juss Event given the green light by senior figures to renegotiate with Formula 1.
However Formula 1 confirmed on Tuesday that the 2023 calendar will be fixed at 23 events.
It means there will be a prolonged gap between the Australian GP on April 2 and Azerbaijan GP on April 30.
It is understood that Formula 1 explored the possibility of including a round in Portimao, Portugal on China’s date but ultimately opted against doing so.
China was a fixture on the calendar between 2004 and 2019 while Formula 1 agreed a three-year extension with the country during the pandemic.
Discussion about this post