Chinese Grand Prix abandoned amid Covid concerns – media – RT Sport News
China is set to be absent from the Formula 1 calendar again next year amid reports that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix has been canceled due to the country’s Covid-19 restrictions, according to the BBC.
There hasn’t been a Formula 1 event in China since 2019, before the pandemic took hold, but motorsport was due to return for what was to be the fourth race on next season’s calendar on April 16. .
However, after deliberating on the feasibility of staging a race in China given the country’s strict Covid policies, motorsport authorities reportedly concluded that the race could not go ahead as planned, after being told that no exemptions would be given to F1 drivers. and quarantine requirements staff should they test positive for Covid-19.
The latest guidelines issued in China state that anyone who contracts Covid-19 must spend five days in a specially designed isolation center, and an additional three days in self-isolation at home or in a hotel.
Formula 1, however, has not officially confirmed the removal of the Shanghai race from the calendar, although this formality should be completed in the coming days.
F1 is not expected to write a replacement race in the calendar, meaning there will be a four-week gap between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix later in the month. April 30.
However, F1 Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali is also believed to be in talks with Baku Grand Prix organizers to bring it forward by a week, although no deal has been reached so far.
The Chinese Grand Prix is expected to return in 2024, pending the removal of various Covid-19 related restrictions.
Further changes to the F1 calendar are expected in the future. Azerbaijan’s contract to host races in Baku expires next year, but talks are underway to extend the deal for another decade, despite claims it could be scrapped to make way for a Grand Prices in Kyalami, South Africa.
The Russian Grand Prix was canceled for the foreseeable future earlier this year by motorsport authorities, following the launch of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
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