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.
