The global championship will not return to China for at least five years after it was confirmed today that the Chinese Grand Prix won't be included to the 2023 Formula 1 schedule.
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The 2019 Formula One season’s last race at the Shanghai International Circuit also marked the championship’s 1,000th round. But eight months later, the first known Covid-19 infection occurred in Wuhan, almost 800 kilometres to the west. Of fact, its impacts were not limited to China, even though it was the first nation to postpone a world championship round due to the pandemic that followed. Even while many more did, mostly outside of Europe and the Middle East, by last year everyone had returned to the schedule with the exception of China. F1 is still unable to travel to one of the nations it has identified as a key target for growth even if its popularity is skyrocketing. F1 has repeatedly stated that it wants to get back to racing in China as soon as possible. How soon will that occur?
The nation hastily tore up its “zero Covid” restrictions last month, shortly after the initial declaration that China’s 2023 race would not go through, under which it continued to impose lockdowns in reaction to outbreaks of the virus. This was brought on by the unusual sight of demonstrations denouncing the Chinese leadership and government’s response to the pandemic. The change in China’s Covid policy was so abrupt that several people thought the 2023 grand prix would still be held. The announcement made today has put that notion to rest, however it is surprising that F1 didn’t replace the race when there were workable options. The elimination of “zero Covid” in a nation where vaccine efficacy rates and uptake are lower than abroad has caused a sharp increase in infections and fatalities, though it is difficult to estimate by how much (a recent report estimated that nearly two-thirds of the population in the nation is infected with the virus). However, there will be expectations that the competition will return in 2024.
Since its debut world championship race in 2004, China’s interest in Formula One has developed slowly but gradually. Prior to the race’s cancellation in 2020, there was discussion about adding more rounds to the country to capitalise on its rising popularity, much like F1 is now doing in the USA, another crucial market. Toto Wolff, the team principal for Mercedes, was one of those arguing for a second race in China during the 2019 Formula One Grand Prix. Yes, he responded, “I suppose it’s a big enough place.” In China, Formula E will hold two races: one in Sanya and one in Hong Kong. Why not travel to Beijing or the city of Hong Kong for the race? I would cherish that.
