The Chinese language Grand Prix is off for the fourth yr in a row
The Chinese language Grand Prix has been faraway from the Components 1 calendar for the fourth yr in succession amid the nation’s strict measures to inhibit the unfold of Covid-19.
The race, which was scheduled for April 16 subsequent yr, received’t happen, Components 1 mentioned in a press release “as a result of ongoing difficulties offered by the Covid-19state of affairs.”
The fourth cancellation in a row comes even after F1 chiefs signed a brand new deal to increase the Chinese language Grand Prix till 2025 simply final yr, and comes amid protests happening within the nation as a result of what some see as overly-strict Covid-19 tips imposed by the nation’s ruling authorities.
“Components 1 can verify, following dialogue with the promoter and related authorities, that the 2023 Chinese language Grand Prix is not going to happen as a result of ongoing difficulties offered by the Covid-19 state of affairs,” they mentioned in a press release.
“Components 1 is assessing different choices to exchange the slot on the 2023 calendar and can present an replace on this sooner or later.”
The 2023 Chinese language Grand Prix is not going to happen as a result of ongoing difficulties offered by the COVID-19 state of affairs#F1 pic.twitter.com/RQaEplXJvA
— Components 1 (@F1) December 2, 2022
The race’s cancelation signifies that there can be a four-week window with no Grand Prix in April, with the Melbourne Grand Prix scheduled for April 2 and the following being the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on April 30.
Nonetheless, it has been reported that Components 1 is to carry talks with numerous different potential race hosts with a view to filling the hole within the schedule.
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It’s thought that Portugal’s Portimao circuit is among the many candidates to take the place of the Chinese language Grand Prix. The observe was used as a alternative race in each 2020 and 2021 for others which have been cancelled as a result of Covid-19.
The final time the race happened was within the 2019 season which, on that event, was received by Lewis Hamilton.
The race’s axing will little question come as a blow to China’s first-ever F1 driver, Guanyu Zhou, who has not but taken half in his dwelling Grand Prix.
The 2023 Components 1 season begins in Bahrain on March 5 and can conclude a number of months later in Abu Dhabi on November 26.
