The Chinese Grand Prix, set to return in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and since the Covid-19 pandemic, will again be cancelled due to restrictions and quarantine rules in place in the country at the time.
Speculation grew that the Chinese race slot could be replaced by the Portimao circuit in Portugal or Istanbul Park in Turkey, with the former particularly keen to suggest they were in the running to host the race.
F1 stated that no agreement was close over a replacement, and left the option of no new race being added to the April 16th date on the table.
With China relaxing restrictions and expressing interest in talks about being reinstated on the calendar, even at a later date, it looked increasingly likely that the schedule would remain at 23 races.
F1 2023 Calendar:
| Date | Grand Prix | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 23-25 | Pre-season testing | Sakhir |
| March 5 | Bahrain | Sakhir |
| March 19 | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah |
| April 2 | Australia | Melbourne |
| April 30 | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| May 7 | Miami | Miami |
| May 21 | Emilia Romagna | Imola |
| May 28 | Monaco | Monaco |
| June 4 | Spain | Barcelona |
| June 18 | Canada | Montreal |
| July 2 | Austria | Spielberg |
| July 9 | United Kingdom | Silverstone |
| July 23 | Hungary | Budapest |
| July 30 | Belgium | Spa |
| August 27 | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
| September 3 | Italy | Monza |
| September 17 | Singapore | Singapore |
| September 24 | Japan | Suzuka |
| October 8 | Qatar | Lusail |
| October 22 | USA | Austin |
| October 29 | Mexico | Mexico City |
| November 5 | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
| November 18 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas* |
| November 26 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
| *Subject to FIA circuit homologation |
F1 ultimately decided to keep the schedule at 23 races, due to the difficulty of finding a new slot for China.
The schedule will include a four-week gap between rounds three and four, in Australia and Azerbaijan respectively, and none of the other dates already set for the 2023 season will change.
