F1 Cancels 2023 Chinese Grand Prix

For the fourth year in a row, F1 won’t be going to Shanghai.

For the fourth year in a row, Formula One will not host a race in China. 

Following a dialogue with the promotor and relevant local authorities, F1 announced that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the “ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation.”

The 2023 edition of the race was scheduled for April 16, the fourth event of the season. It also would have been the first home race for Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, who became the first Chinese driver in F1 when he made his debut this past year.

The cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix may cut into what was scheduled to be a record 24-race season. F1 did say in a statement that it is “assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”

F1 has not visited Shanghai International Circuit since 2019 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While other countries that host races have walked back lockdowns and entry restrictions, China has maintained stringent policies to limit the spread of the virus. 

Last year, F1 extended its contract with the Chinese Grand Prix through 2025.


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Zach Koons
ZACH KOONS

Zach Koons is a programming editor at Sports Illustrated who frequently writes about Formula One. He joined SI as a breaking/trending news writer in February 2022 before joining the programming team in 2023. Koons previously worked at The Spun and interned for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He currently hosts the "Bleav in Northwestern" podcast and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University.