China GP cancelled: These are the possible replacements

Formula 1 officially confirmed on Friday that the China Grand Prix will not take place in 2023. Due to strict corona rules, it will be difficult for F1 to travel to the country. The organisers are already busy looking for a replacement. Which circuits stand a chance of still appearing on the F1 calendar in 2023?

The Shanghai race will not take place for the fourth year in a row. The China GP did form part of the officially announced 2023 calendar, but F1 knew from the start that there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the race because of coronagraphs in the country.

It has now been officially announced that the race will once again not go ahead. As the news was announced well in advance, F1 still has plenty of time to look for a replacement. In 2023, there will be a record 24 races on the calendar and the sport would like to keep it that way. The China GP would take place on 16 April, between the Australian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. GPblog lists the possible replacements.

Portuguese Grand Prix

According to F1, several parties are interested in a spot on the calendar. Before the official announcement came out, the Portuguese Grand Prix was already mentioned as a replacement for China. The Portimao circuit was also already part of the F1 calendar in 2020 and 2021. According to rumours, the circuit is already in talks to take over the venue. Only the FIA World Council still needs to approve, a meeting that will take place later this month.

Turkish Grand Prix

The Turkish Grand Prix is also an option. Like Portimao, the circuit has hosted two F1 races during the corona pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Turkey is looking for a long-term contract for a spot on the F1 calendar, so acting as China's replacement would be a good first step towards achieving that goal. The circuit has already delivered some exciting races.

Malaysian Grand Prix

The last time the Malaysian Grand Prix was on the calendar was in 2017. Max Verstappen won the last race at the Sepang circuit. The circuit was considered as a replacement for the Russian Grand Prix in 2022, but F1 eventually chose to leave that spot on the calendar empty. The circuit's organisers have already made it known this year that they would like to host another race, although it would not be 2023 or 2024. With the cancellation of China, the circuit may think differently. Sepang is at least very popular among fans.

German Grand Prix

The German Grand Prix was held for the last time in 2019 at the Hockenheim circuit. In a sport where the country has been very successful with drivers like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, it is quite surprising that Germany no longer hosts a race in F1. The Nurburgring has also expressed an interest in hosting the German GP in the past, but there is simply little room on the busy F1 calendar. Perhaps we will see the return of the German GP in 2023.

South African Grand Prix

Recently, there have also been many rumours about the South African Grand Prix. Despite the reports, the country was absent from the new 2023 calendar. South Africa is doing all it can to get the financial picture right for a spot in F1 in 2024, but there may be momentum on that now that there is still a gap on the 2023 calendar.