Chinese language F1 Grand Prix cancelled for fourth yr in a row because of native Covid measures

Method One’s Chinese language Grand Prix was cancelled for the fourth yr in a row on Friday because of strict native measures to curb the unfold of COVID-19, with the game on the lookout for a potential substitute.

The 2023 race in Shanghai would have been the primary since 2019 and had been scheduled for April 16 because the fourth cease on a document 24-round calendar that additionally guarantees a spectacular debut in Las Vegas.

The cancellation got here as no shock, with the race recognised as being unsure by Method One chief govt Stefano Domenicali in a Liberty Media third-quarter earnings name with analysts this month.

“Method One can verify, following dialogue with the promoter and related authorities, that the 2023 Chinese language Grand Prix won’t happen as a result of ongoing difficulties offered by the COVID-19 state of affairs,” an announcement stated.

“Method One is assessing different choices to switch the slot on the 2023 calendar and can present an replace on this sooner or later.”

China, which has caught to a zero-COVID coverage, has the world’s hardest measures in place to counter the unfold of the virus together with enforced quarantine in centralised services for constructive instances.

Method One and native organisers had tried to discover a resolution to allow the race to go forward however, with 10 groups and enormous numbers of individuals set to fly in, discovered the obstacles too nice.

Varied options have been touted within the media, together with Portugal’s Portimao circuit that was used as a substitute in 2020 and 2021 for races cancelled through the pandemic.

Whereas Method One is speaking to events, it might additionally scale back the calendar to 23 races — nonetheless a document — with a four-week hole between Australia on April 2 and Azerbaijan on April 30.

The cancellation will probably be a blow for China’s first and solely Method One driver Guanyu Zhou, who made his debut with Alfa Romeo this season and has but to race in entrance of his dwelling crowd.