As expected, Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai has been dropped from next year's calendar.
The event held an April 16 slot on F1's schedule, but China's Zero Covid policy which has been in force in the country has so far failed to rein in transmissions.
Rather than relaxing restrictions this year, authorities deployed snap lockdowns and contact tracing, but that approach has only served to frustrate residents who have taken to the streets to protest their governments firm grip on their daily lives all the while Covid cases have reached all-time highs.
Read also:
On Friday, Formula One Management confirmed Shanghai's cancellation for the fourth time and that it is weighing its options regarding a potential replacement race to fill the four week gap that now exits on the calendar between the Austrian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April30.
"Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation," read the statement from F1.
"Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course."
F1 would likely hear no complaints from teams if it reduces its 2023 schedule to 23 races. However, it's likely that all efforts will be made to fill the April void with a European race, with a return to Portimao in Portugal among F1's potential solutions.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
