Chinese GP organizers looking to make a return to 2023 F1 Calendar – Reports
Follow Us
Chinese GP
The Chinese GP’s contract runs till 2025, but it’s now been (provisionally) canceled four seasons in a row, each time due to problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Formula 1 is clearly keen on keeping the race on the calendar – but circumstances seem to be against them. However, it’s recently emerged that the event may make a return, after it was announced to be canceled on December 2 of last year.
The Chinese Grand Prix, which was set to be held on April 14-16 at the Shanghai International Circuit, may yet return to its original slot. COVID-19 restrictions are set to ease up in China. As per the Chinese arm of Motorsport.com, the organizers of the Chinese GP have held internal discussions and ‘initial contact’ with Formula 1, and this is set to pick up more in the future.
No replacement for the event has been named yet, and the slot between the Australian Grand Prix (31 March – 2 April) and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (28-30 April) remains open, with a rather awkward gap in the middle. There have recently been some whispers that F1 may target the Portuguese Grand Prix (Portimao) as a replacement, but nothing concrete.
Also Read: Report: F1 eyeing Portimao as replacement for the 2023 Chinese GP
Is a return for the Chinese GP feasible?
It’s not too late for the Chinese Grand Prix to make a return – logistically, at least. It’s not been replaced and the spot is not yet occupied. Moreover, as per Motorsport.com’s report, F1’s logistics and transport work for faraway races begins at the end of January, when team equipment will be shipped as sea freight. So, if an agreement can be reached before that, there is no reason why the Chinese GP can’t make its way back to the calendar. Cancel its cancellation, so to speak.
The Chinese Grand Prix has been held 16 times between 2004 and 2019, but if it can make a return, it’ll be the first time that there’s a driver the home crowd can get behind. The sport’s first Chinese driver, Zhou Guanyu, will be in his second year at Alfa Romeo in 2023. Moreover, he was born in Shanghai – so it’s a home race in every sense of the word.
Also Read: Report: Chinese Grand Prix gets the red flag, shortening the 24-race F1 schedule for the 2023 season
Stay Updated!
Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)