Why Was The Chinese Grand Prix Cancelled By Formula 1?
After the Australian Grand Prix last weekend, the teams and drivers find themselves in a small break before the next race in Azerbaijan on April 28-30, due to the Chinese Grand Prix being cancelled.
Unfortunately, the Chinese Grand Prix won't be part of the action this year. Questions arose about the grand prix going ahead when the country continued to have COVID-19 restrictions. Despite these being lifted, the number of coronavirus cases remained an issue for the sport. It was confirmed at the beginning of the year that it won't be back on the calendar for this season.
The decision was made with the safety of everyone involved in mind. Travel between races is already a logistical challenge, and adding another one at this point could increase the risk of COVID transmission. Plus, Formula 1 is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and reducing unnecessary travel is a big part of that effort.
While some racing enthusiasts may be disappointed, the decision to take the Chinese Grand Prix off the table has some benefits. Drivers and teams will have a four-week break between the Australian and Azerbaijan Grand Prix races, giving them some much-needed rest and recovery time.
Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff is even working on implementing a "hard stop" for his team, giving them a chance to recharge their batteries. It's a smart move that recognises the gruelling demands of the sport and the importance of taking care of its participants.
There were discussions over a possible replacement for the Chinese Grand Prix with Portugal interested in taking the dates. However, with the 2023 season already breaking records with 23 races, Liberty Media and the FIA decided to leave the gap.