F1 News

'Chinese Grand Prix not on F1 calendar again, but on reserve list'

'Chinese Grand Prix not on F1 calendar again, but on reserve list'

14-10-2021 16:26 Last update: 16:29

GPblog.com

The Chinese Grand Prix will be absent from the Formula One calendar in 2022 for the third year in a row, several sources tell news agency Reuters. The race was missing from the draft calendar that was presented to the teams this week and will probably be announced on Friday.

China on the reserve list

The F1 calendar is expected to have a record number of 23 races but again without the Chinese Grand Prix. The race was initially scheduled for April this year but was postponed and then cancelled. China still has travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Grand Prix might be on the reserve list if another race is cancelled next season.

China will host the Winter Olympics in February 2022. Tickets for the Olympics may only be sold to mainland Chinese spectators and unvaccinated athletes must spend twenty-one days in quarantine prior to the Games. The place of the Chinese Grand Prix on the calendar will probably be taken over by the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Teams approve draft calendar

Wednesday the teams approved the draft calendar for 2022. Friday it will be presented during the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council. The season will run from mid-March to mid-November to avoid a clash with the World Cup in Qatar in late November and December.