Six potential replacement races as Chinese Grand Prix is scrapped again
The 2023 Chinese Grand Prix has been cancelled, Formula 1 has confirmed.
The Shanghai race – due to take place on April 16 – has been scrapped amid ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the country. The sport is now facing a four-week hole in the calendar between the races in Melbourne on April 2 and Azerbaijan on April 30.
F1 bosses are reportedly in dialogue with a number of interested venues about filling the gap to ensure a record 24 rounds still go ahead. The cancellation of the race in China will mark the fourth season it has been dropped from the schedule. It last took place in 2019, when it was won by Lewis Hamilton.
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The 2023 season will start in Bahrain on March 5 and conclude in Abu Dhabi on November 26. F1 expects to confirm whether Chinese round will be replaced in the new year.
F1 said in a statement: “Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation.
“Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”
Daily Star Sport looks as six potential alternatives for the race…
Portimao, Portugal
The Portuguese circuit ticks many of the boxes having come onto the schedule during the pandemic-effected 2020 and 2021 seasons.
It’s a challenging, undulating circuit near the Algarve coast, making it attractive for fans, as well as teams and drivers. If F1 opts for a European replacement for China, Portimao might be in pole position.
Sepang, Malaysia
The Sepang circuit, which hosted F1 between 1999 and 2017, is missed by many fans and drivers, having dropped off the calendar due to rising hosting fees and declining ticket sales.
It remains in good condition and still hosts MotoGP. The fast, challenging track offers plenty of overtaking opportunities while the unpredictable weather has the ability to mix up the order.
The F1 landscape has changed greatly over the last five years and it could be time for Sepang to return permanently, let alone as a one-off replacement.
Mugello, Italy
Another recent temporary addition due to Covid, although it was only used once. A narrow circuit that is more suited to bikes, it produced an eventful, crash-strewn race in 2020. But with two other Italian races already on the calendar, it would regarded as an outsider to return.
Which circuit would you like to see join the schedule? Tell us in the comments section below.
Istanbul Park, Turkey
Another favourite with the drivers, the Istanbul Park Circuit returned to the calendar for 2020 and 2021 and would be ready to go again if required. Like most things in F1, it will depend on the finances, which could hinder Turkey’s hopes of getting back on the schedule.
Paul Ricard, France
The Paul Ricard circuit has only just dropped off the calendar, despite hosting a successful race in 2022.
The bland nature of the track and logistical issues contributed to its demise. However, it could be ready again at short notice while the weather in the south of France at that time of year wouldn’t be an issue.
Germany
Given the country’s motorsport heritage, it’s a travesty that Germany doesn’t have a spot on the calendar. In Hockenheim and the Nurburgring, it has two popular and historic circuits that are synonymous with the sport.
Hockenheim last hosted F1 in 2019 while Nurburgring stepped in during the 2020 season. The German weather in April might not be ideal, although the aforementioned Nurburgring race took place in October.
Both venues should at least be considered for a temporary return to the schedule.
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