Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix ‘very likely’ to be cancelled, sources say, with Covid-19 regulations the cause
- People close to organisers of race in mainland China say they expect April 16 event to be axed
- Staff not being given exemptions from quarantine requirements in event of infection is said to be a key sticking point
Next year’s Chinese Grand Prix “is very likely to be cancelled” because of the country’s continued zero-Covid policy, sources in Shanghai have told the Post.
Rumours the race would be axed began circling at the start of week, but Formula One issued a statement on Thursday saying it remained on the calendar and would do so “until we announce otherwise”.
According to a BBC report, F1 officials have already concluded the mainland’s strict coronavirus regulations cannot go ahead.
And people close to Shanghai Jiushi Group, which has a subsidiary that has organised the race at the Shanghai International Circuit in the past, said they expected the April 16 event not to take place.
“It is very likely that the race in 2023 will be cancelled, but the verdict has not been officially made yet,” a source told the Post.
The main sticking point for officials is said to centre around the fact that F1 staff would not be exempt from quarantine should they test positive for Covid-19.
In its statement, Formula One shied away from commenting on the reports, and only said it would “continue to monitor the Covid situation in China and maintain a close dialogue with the promoter and authorities”.
“China has been included in the 2023 calendar and until we announce otherwise that remains the case,” it added.
If, as F1 contends, it does return, then the Chinese Grand Prix, last staged in 2019, would be the fourth leg of a record 24-race season in 2023.
Daniel Ricciardo returns to Red Bull as team’s 3rd F1 driver
On Tuesday, Ferrari filled the top three places on the timing screens in Formula One’s postseason test in Abu Dhabi, as the sport looked to the future with Grand Prix veterans and newcomers alike starting work with new employers.
Carlos Sainz was quickest for the Italian outfit ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with both race regulars taking turns in the one F1-75 car and focusing on Pirelli’s 2023 tyres.
Israeli test driver Robert Shwartzman was third fastest in the other Ferrari and did 116 laps, the equivalent of two race distances.
Spain’s double world champion Fernando Alonso, 41, made his track debut with Aston Martin after leaving Renault-owned Alpine while 35-year-old Nico Hulkenberg began his comeback with US-owned Haas.
“Today was about learning the tyres for 2023, learning their characteristics and with these test days you have a bit more time to try stuff,” said Hulkenberg, whose last full season was in 2019 with Renault.
“I coped better than expected to be honest, so that’s good,” he added of his fitness. “There’s now three months of hard-core preparation to get ready, I have a plan and I know what I have to do.”
Australian rookie Oscar Piastri tested for McLaren alongside 2023 teammate Lando Norris while Frenchman Pierre Gasly settled in at Alpine following his move from Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri, who welcomed Dutch driver Nyck de Vries in his place.
“We did a lot of laps and experimented a lot which is exactly what today is all about. I’ve got a good idea where to improve for next year,” said Piastri. “I really enjoyed it, it’s nice to be back out on track finally and experience the 2022 cars.”
Gasly was fourth fastest, with Red Bull’s double world champion Max Verstappen fifth after taking over the car from teammate Sergio Perez.
De Vries did the most distance, completing 152 laps of Yas Marina.
Australian youngster Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle great Mick, also tested for Alpine while New Zealander Liam Lawson had a full day in the double title-winning Red Bull RB18.
