Formula 1 is looking for the best solution to finalize its schedule for the 2023 Formula 1 season, after recent developments in China have led the promoters of the Shanghai Grand Prix to contact the F1 management and ask for the reinstatement of its event.
One month ago, Formula 1 officially confirmed that the Chinese Grand Prix would not take place for a third consecutive year. It was scheduled to be held at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 14-16, but was cancelled “due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the Covid-19 situation”.
At that moment, restrictions were still imposed in China, which remained in total lockdown until last week. Given the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and the strict restrictions that were in place until not long ago, the Formula 1 staff, including drivers and team members, would have been forced to quarantine themselves, despite the event’s standalone place on the 2023 Formula 1 calendar.
The F1 management confirmed that it was “assessing alternative options” and subsequent discussions with the promoters of the Portuguese Grand Prix have almost led to a deal for the Portimão race to return on the calendar and therefore fill the vacant April slot in 2023. Yet China has now confirmed that it will drop quarantine requirements for international arrivals from January 8, in a major step toward reopening its borders which have shut the country from the rest of the world for nearly three years.
As a result, the organizers of the Chinese Grand Prix have contacted Formula 1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali to ask for the event to once again be added to the calendar. This means that the former Ferrari boss and his staff now have to evaluate the best decision as time is running out, with just two months until the start of the championship. According to recent reports, discussions will take place during the next few days to identify the best solution for the situation.
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One issue for the sport is the fact that Covid-19 remains rife in China, affecting most of the safety protocols Formula 1 has rigorously respected since it first successfully combatted the virus with the goal of coming close to a degree of racing normality two years ago. In addition to this, putting the Chinese Grand Prix back on the calendar would lead to a logistic problem, as the Formula 1 teams have already been planning for the events in Baku and Miami, which are scheduled to take place in late April and early May.
The Chinese promoters are also considering a possible race in the autumn, but this is an unlikely scenario given the busy schedule in the second part of the 2023 Formula 1 season and the fact that no other venue would agree to switch places at this stage. There is also a strong possibility that the calendar for next season will consist of 23 rounds and not the record-breaking 24 that was initially planned for.
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