Formula One confirmed on Friday that the Chinese Grand Prix will not take place in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year that the race has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
F1 has not visited the Shanghai circuit since 2019 as China obeys a strict policy of lockdowns, virus testing and access restrictions during the pandemic, long after other countries on the F1 calendar relaxed many of their measures. . The “zero COVID” approach has sparked protests in China in recent weeks.
“Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and the relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the current difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation,” F1 reported in a statement. a statement.
“Formula 1 is evaluating alternative options to replace the spot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”
F1 extended its contract with the Chinese Grand Prix until 2025 last year.
The race was scheduled to take place on April 16 as the fourth race of a record-breaking 24 GP season. It would have been the first home race for Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver in F1 who made his debut for Alfa Romeo this season and is contracted for next year.
China held last year’s Winter Olympics in a so-called “bubble” environment with regular virus tests for participants, but outside of that it has hosted few international sporting events during the pandemic.
