The health situation and the violent clashes currently taking place in China have raised many questions about the holding of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai in 2023. Formula 1 has confirmed that the Grand Prix will not be able to take place next season – just like the past two seasons. The Formula 1 is considering a replacement race.
A calendar to be organized
Compared to the 2022 calendar and previous seasons, the French Grand Prix is notably absent. While alternative solutions have been considered for the return of the French Grand Prix to the 2024 calendar, nothing has been confirmed yet. It is possible that replacing the Grand Prix of China could present an opportunity for its comeback. For this to happen, the F1 calendar will have to be completely rearranged to include the French race, which takes place in the south of France at Paul Ricard, during summery conditions, typically in the months of June or July, as in previous seasons.
If the French Grand Prix were to make a comeback, it could not take place between the British Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix, where there is currently a two-week gap, as this would result in 6 races in 6 weeks, which seems impossible in Formula 1 and has never been done before.
One option would be to move the French Grand Prix to the weekend of June 9th, 10th, and 11th, but that would pose a problem for traveling a few days later to the Canadian Grand Prix, on the other side of the Atlantic, although this is regularly done in F1.
No official information, regarding the French Grand Prix.
Motors Inside currently has no information regarding the Formula 1’s discussions with the Grand Prix de France organizers. The coming days will be crucial in deciding whether France will make a comeback to the Formula 1 calendar in 2023.
The announcement made by the F1 seems to have been made very quickly after the decision was taken. Grand Prix organizers will potentially enter into discussions in the coming days, but it is the F1 who will decide which Grand Prix are concerned.
What are the alternatives to France?
The other Grand Prix events that could replace the Chinese Grand Prix are Portugal or Germany with the Nürburgring circuit. These alternatives were chosen in 2020 during the COVID health crisis.
Given the significant number of races in 2023, with 24 races scheduled between the months of March and November, it is also possible that the Chinese Grand Prix may not be replaced in order to save on budget and human resources.
