Due to the continuous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Formula 1 has been unable to come to China for three consecutive years since the 1,000th Grand Prix, which was held at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2019.
In December last year, due to the restrictions and the uncertainty regarding the development of the pandemic, Formula 1 announced that the Chinese Grand Prix, which was originally on the 2023 season calendar, would not be held. But a few weeks ago, China announced that starting January 8, 2023, travelers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival on the mainland. This means that potentially the biggest barrier to participation in sporting events has been removed.
The Chinese version of the Motorsport Network informs that Shanghai has already conducted internal discussions, and also made preliminary communication with Formula 1. It is understood that after the New Year’s Day holiday, various parties will continue to discuss related matters.
According to the original 2023 calendar, the Chinese Grand Prix was placed on April 16, with a two-week gap between Australia and Azerbaijan. In the latest Formula 1 calendar approved by the FIA World Motor Sports Council, there is no alternate track between Melbourne and Baku, and the annual competition has been reduced from 24 to 23. In other words, that weekend is still open.
According to practice, Formula 1 usually starts logistics and transportation work in late January. The 5 sets of event materials for each team will be transported by sea to the competition venues outside Europe at the beginning of the season. Currently, the first five rounds of this season are held in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Azerbaijan and Miami, USA. Therefore, there is still relatively sufficient time for logistics and transportation coordination.
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If the Chinese Grand Prix can successfully return to the 2023 calendar, Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu will have the chance to take part in his first home race in his second F1 season. Last year, the Shanghai teenager representing the Alfa Romeo team became the first Chinese driver to participate in the race in the history of the sport for more than 70 years, and scored points in his debut.
As China will stop requiring inbound travelers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8, the National Health Commission said on Monday, good news continues to come in terms of organizing major international sports events. The ATP has announced that the Shanghai Masters will return this fall; in addition, the Asian Games have also confirmed that they will be held in Hangzhou in September this year.
Although the Shanghai International Circuit has not held international events including a Formula 1 race in the past three years, it has completed the verification process required to host the world’s top motorsports events in the middle of last year.
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