F1 News: Chinese Grand Prix Confirmed To Return For 2024

After being cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, China will return with a three year contract.

After losing its certification due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shanghai International Circuit has received a new FIA Grade One license to host Formula 1 races for the next three years, starting with 2024.

The circuit, which is the only track in China capable of hosting F1 races and testing, had to undergo repair work, including fixes for blemishes on the track surface, partial repair of tire walls, repainting of the underground connecting tunnel, refreshing of grandstand seats, and improvements to the outfield area. 

These repairs were carried out by the circuit manager, Juss Sports, after an assessment by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF) in August 2022.

Although the Chinese Grand Prix was scheduled for April 16, 2023, it was cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdowns in some parts of the country, creating a four-week gap between the Australian and Azerbaijan races. The local race promoter has a deal with F1 until 2025 and is working towards celebratory events for the 20th anniversary of the first F1 race in China in 2004, should the Chinese Grand Prix get the green light in 2024.

An FIA inspector will return to the circuit a month before the event to carry out the final examination if an F1 round goes ahead in 2024 as anticipated. Shanghai has hosted the Chinese F1 round since 2004, and the previous license was held for a three-year term but expired at the end of 2019, before FIA representatives could complete their inspection due to the global health crisis.

The Shanghai International Circuit's reinstatement means that it can host F1 races and testing until 2024, and it is the sole track in China currently capable of hosting a grand prix.