F1's 2023 race calendar dilemma with China seeking U-turn despite Portugal deal

04 January 2023 , 17:17

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The Chinese Grand Prix was set to return to F1 in 2023 (Image: Getty Images)

Formula 1's desire to complete a record-breaking 24-race calendar in 2023 is not dead in the water just yet.

When the season plan was officially announced last September, there was already some hesitancy over the Chinese Grand Prix. There was hope it would be able to return for the first time since before the pandemic began and pencilled in for a weekend in mid-April.

But its place on the schedule was only ever provisional and then, in early December, came the announcement that the event would not be going ahead. Continued Covid restrictions, as the country continues to be battered by the virus, meant it was no longer feasible.

F1 chiefs made it clear at the time that they were hoping to replace it. "Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course," was the closing line of the official statement.

And so, they turned to Portugal. It was one of very few viable options when taking into account logistics, weather and venue availability and, as reported by GPFans, an agreement was struck which would see the F1 circus head to Portimao again.

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Problem solved? Well, not quite, because China has since made some pretty big changes. Covid measures are being scrapped across the country from next week with leaders moving away from the controversial zero-Covid policy, despite a significant spike in cases over the past two months.

The Portuguese Grand Prix would be the alternative to a return to China (Getty Images)

So China wants to invite the world in again, and that includes F1. Mirror Sport understands the promoters of the Chinese Grand Prix have written to Stefano Domenicali and would like to be added back onto the 2023 calendar, but also that the prospect is yet to be discussed.

Because Covid is still prevalent in China, putting on a race there would be risky for F1. But simply ignoring that request and giving the weekend to Portugal would be a bold move, as it would risk offending China – a key market for the sport.

Add on top of that, the fact there is little over three months until that weekend, making either choice difficult in the logistical sense. With those factors in mind, the best solution might simply be to altogether avoid a race that weekend and settle for 23 races this year – still a record.

Daniel Moxon