The announcement of the 2023 Formula 1 calendar yesterday was more surprising for the manner in which it was revealed than the details of the series’ longest-ever schedule.
The schedule’s expansion to 24 races was widely tipped. China’s return at some point was expected and the Qatar and Las Vegas races had been announced previously.
The French Grand Prix promoters acknowledged F1 wouldn’t return to Paul Ricard in 2023 after Stefano Domenicali revealed it in a press conference last month. Spa’s one-year deal to remain on the calendar was announced soon afterwards.
But the timing of the calendar announcement was more surprising. Despite many of its events having fallen into place, Domenicali told Liberty Media investors last month the calendar would not be confirmed until “around early October.” He later clarified the delay related to the planned return of the Chinese Grand Prix to the calendar.
Following the cancellation of a swathe of events over the last three years due to the pandemic, China’s race will be the last to return to the schedule. The country’s zero-Covid policy has delayed the resumption of international sports within its borders. The Winter Olympics were held in February under conditions of strict security which saw competitors, media and other observers restricted to their own ‘bubble areas’.
Domenicali indicated a decision on China’s race would come after the National Congress in October, the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s summit held every five years in Beijing. “We believe that we are going to have clear guidance on what is the scenario for China in the future within the end of this year,” he said last month. “Because that is something that, as you know, from the political perspective, there is a big event there at the end of October.”
This cautiousness was understandable at a time when China is still locking down cities where Covid-19 outbreaks occur. These include, less than two weeks ago, the city of Chengdu, home to 21 million people.
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Nonetheless the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, announced yesterday the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will go ahead next April. However it is striking that, despite such a packed calendar, this race has a free weekend either side of it, reducing any travel complications which may arise if it does not go ahead.
Even without a Chinese race the 2023…
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