Rumor: Chinese GP to be reinstated for 2023 – No!! (2nd Update)

This rumor is downgraded to ‘false’ today.

F1 announced that the 2023 F1 schedule will remain at 23 races with China not reinstated.

(GMM) Formula 1’s forthcoming 2023 calendar could once again swell to 24 grands prix.

Before Christmas, the sport scrapped the scheduled Chinese GP for the fourth consecutive time due to strict covid-19 restrictions.

However, widespread subsequent public protests have led to the significant easing of those restrictions, resulting in a surge in infections.

But the eased measures could see Shanghai re-take its April date on the 2023 calendar – especially with China’s quarantine measures set to be dropped.

International media reports claim organizers of the event have written to both F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem on the topic.

“Formula 1 did not want to comment,” a report published by Germany’s Sport Bild said.

With China finally realizing that their lockdowns are not working against Covid-19 as the virus runs its course through the population regardless, Chinese authorities announced it would end quarantine for travelers coming into the country from 8 January, as part of the country’s shift from its zero-COVID policy.

Autosport’s Chinese sister site has learned that Chinese GP organizers have already held internal discussions and made initial contact with F1, to reinstate the race on the 2023 calendar.

On the provisional 2023 F1 calendar, the Chinese GP was set to take place on 14-16 April with a two-week gap between Australia (31 March-2 April) and Azerbaijan (28-30 April).

If the Chinese GP can return to the F1 calendar, it would mark Zhou Guanyu’s first home race, having missed out during his rookie campaign last year.

We have updated our 2023 Race Calendar Page Accordingly – relisting the Chinese GP as Provisional.