F1 announces it will not replace Chinese GP in 2023

The new Formula 1 season is to stay at 23 races, it was announced on Tuesday, after the sport's chiefs ruled out a replacement for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The original schedule had been set for 24 events, with the race in Shanghai provisionally put down for April 16.

However, ongoing restrictions in China relating to COVID-19 meant it was not possible for F1 to go ahead with the race there.

The cancellation of the Chinese GP leaves a big gap in the calendar between the Australian GP on April 2 and the Azerbaijan GP on April 30.

F1 did consider options to shift this around, either by moving the Azerbaijan race forward to separate it from being a back-to-back with Miami, or by finding a replacement race.

However, Azerbaijan GP chiefs were reluctant to move their event any earlier in the year because of concerns about poor weather in Baku at that time of year, which is normally chilly and windy in April.

And while other options were considered, with Portugal's Portimao even linked with an F1 return at one point, that idea did not progress far.

Despite hopes by Chinese authorities to get its race back on the calendar at some point this year, either on its original date or potentially by swapping its April slot with another venue, that has now also been ruled out.

F1 has therefore announced that the season will stick with 23 races.

A short statement said: "Formula 1 can confirm the 2023 season will consist of 23 races. All existing race dates on the calendar remain unchanged."

It means that there will be a three-week gap between the races in Melbourne and Baku.

The reduction to a 23-race schedule has some implications in terms of restricted components that teams can use.

In terms of gearboxes, a 23-race schedule means teams are limited to four gearboxes for the campaign – whereas there would have been an extra one available if the calendar had run to 24 events.

The number of power units available is unchanged, however, by the number of races that take place. Each driver is allowed three of the main components (ICE, MGU-K, MGU-H, turbos) for the entire year.

2023 Formula 1 calendar

Date	Race	Venue
5 March	Bahrain GP	Sakhir
19 March	Saudi Arabian GP	Jeddah
2 April	Australian GP	Albert Park
30 April	Azerbaijan GP	Baku
7 May	Miami GP	Miami
21 May	Emilia Romagna GP	Imola
28 May	Monaco GP	Monte Carlo
4 June	Spanish GP	Barcelona
18 June	Canadian GP	Montreal
2 July	Austrian GP	Spielberg
9 July	British GP	Silverstone
23 July	Hungarian GP	Hungaroring
30 July	Belgian GP	Spa-Francorchamps
27 August	Dutch GP	Zandvoort
3 September	Italian GP	Monza
17 September	Singapore GP	Marina Bay
24 September	Japanese GP	Suzuka
8 October	Qatar GP	Losail
22 October	United States GP	Austin
29 October	Mexico GP	Mexico City
5 November	Sao Paulo GP	Interlagos
18 November	Las Vegas GP	Las Vegas
26 November	Abu Dhabi GP	Yas Marina