The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, which was to take place on April 16, 2023 in Shanghai, is canceled due to “current difficulties presented by the Covid-19 situation in the country”, announced on Friday the organizers of the World Championship in a press release.
Formula 1 has not come since 2019 to China, where restrictions are still drastic to fight the pandemic. “Alternative options” are being studied by F1 to replace the event and maintain a calendar of 24 races, which would be a record.
A disappointment for the Chinese driver, Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo), who became the very first Chinese in history to participate in a Formula 1 season. For his first steps in 2022, the native of Shanghai scored six points and ranks 18th overall. Guanyu Zhou will not be able to compete next season in his hometown.
The Chinese Grand Prix was the 4th stage of the 2023 season between that of Australia (March 2) and Azerbaijan (April 30). For several weeks when the threat of cancellation of the race in Shanghai had already been mentioned, the Portimao solution in Portugal, the last edition of which was held in 2021 with a victory for Lewis Hamilton, had already been mentioned. Further discussions are underway with other circuits.
During the last edition of the Chinese Grand Prix in 2019, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) won ahead of Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Pierre Gasly (Red Bull-Honda).
