Formula 1 2023, Chinese Grand Prix under threat of cancellation November 24, 2022 0

The Formula 1 calendar for 2023 was made public some time ago and is known to include 24 Grands Prix. However, it seems like major changes could be coming. In fact, the Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for April 16 may be cancelled. The indiscretion comes from the BBC, which emphasizes that the issue will concern country’s strict anti-covid policy incompatible with the needs of the Formula One Circus.

According to reports, Formula 1 personnel will not be granted an exemption from the country’s strict medical protocol. If a person tests positive, they will be forced to undergo 5 days in isolation inside the antique center, to which are added another 3 days at home without the opportunity to go outside.

Teams don’t like having their members stuck in the country for a while. Unless China grants an exemption, the GP is unlikely to be challenged. For Stefano Domenicali a big problem to be solved, but it seems that the fate of the GP really hangs in the balance. The decision of the top management of the circus could be expected quickly.

What happens if the GP is really cancelled? Theoretically go to create a vacuum 4 weeks between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30. It seems that the Chinese GP cannot be replaced by another race. Therefore, there are rumors about Domenicali’s attempt to get ahead of the stage in Azerbaijan by a week. However, this would meet resistance from the organizers. With the abolition it will pass from 24 to 23 GP.

In China, the last GP was held in 2019 and Hamilton won. Due to Covid, this race was missed in both 2020 and 2021. Apparently, even in 2022, the GP may not take place.