Method One has confirmed it won’t substitute the canceled Chinese language Grand Prix this yr, that means there will probably be 23 races this season slightly than the deliberate 24.

F1 canceled this yr’s Chinese language Grand Prix, which was on account of happen on April 16, final December on account of “the continued difficulties introduced by the Covid-19 state of affairs.” China has relaxed its zero-COVID coverage since that call was made, however a sudden leap in COVID-19 circumstances means there may be nonetheless uncertainty over future restrictions.

F1 was unwilling to return to China, which final held a race in 2019, if there was doubt about crew and organisational personnel with the ability to journey to and function inside the nation with ease. ESPN sources additionally cited political unrest on the finish of final yr as a motive for the accelerated choice to cancel the race.

The important thing dates for F1’s 2023 season

On the time of the cancellation, F1 stated it was in talks with a variety of attainable replacements, together with Portugal’s Portimao circuit, however that it might not lower a deal merely for the sake of getting 24 races.

In a brief assertion on Tuesday, F1 confirmed the Chinese language Grand Prix wouldn’t get replaced and that each one different dates on the calendar would stay the identical.

“Method One can verify the 2023 season will encompass 23 races,” it stated. “All current race dates on the calendar stay unchanged.”

The absence of the Chinese language Grand Prix leaves an uncommon hole of 4 weeks between the Australian Grand Prix on April 2 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30.

The calendar then enters a packed section with 5 races in six weeks, together with back-to-back races in Azerbaijan and Miami, and a tripleheader in Italy, Monaco and Spain.