Will the Chinese Grand Prix return to the F1 calendar? Asian country lifts coronavirus restrictions, but that’s not the only problem

Formula 1 was due to return to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time since 2019, but about a month ago, reports emerged that the planned return would have to be postponed again due to coronavirus restrictions. However, these have been eased following recent reports and negotiations are now underway for the return of the Chinese Grand Prix to the F1 calendar.

China is lifting all quarantine restrictions on arriving passengers on January 8, meaning that the return of the Chinese Grand Prix to the F1 calendar for 2023 is taking on real shape.

Initial information that surfaced about a month ago spoke of F1 not wanting to risk any of its employees contracting coronavirus. So it has removed China from the list of races for the 2023 season.

Under that country’s coronavirus restrictions, such an employee would have to spend five days in an isolation centre and then undergo three days of isolation at home.

It should be added, Formula One was negotiating with Chinese officials at the time to grant a special exemption for its employees. However, it was not granted one. The queen of motorsport has not yet found a replacement race, so cancelling the fourth race of the season would leave a four-week gap in the calendar.

A return to sporting normality and international recognition for the country

However, a few dozen hours ago, Racing News 365 reported that Juss Events, the promoter of the Chinese Grand Prix, intends to stage the race in 2023 on the original date of April 16.

As a result, representatives from the country have been in talks with F1 about returning to the calendar for this season, with reports suggesting that the meeting was chaired by Chinese Communist Party secretary and Politburo member Chen Jin, who plans to present the Grand Prix as a return to sporting normality and international recognition for the country.

But Covid is not the only problem

But whether this is the key to the eventual ride in China is the big question at the moment.

While the promoter of this event may approach the FOM, given the permission from the Chinese government, the latter seems to be concerned about the rising infection rate in the country. And also, of course, the potential need for F1 staff to enter quarantine when they return to Europe.

And that’s not all. Yes, the original April date is still open, but coronavirus and the restrictions associated with it are not the only problem.

The other obstacle is that a full inspection of the circuit would have to be carried out to see if it still meets the Grade 1 certification. Of course, no inspection was possible during the break when the Chinese Grand Prix was not on the F1 calendar.

Nor must we forget that the track commissioners and marshals would have had to undergo retraining courses. This is because there has been no race at the Shanghai International Circuit since 2019.

It should be added, China has a contract with F1 that expires in 2025. And apparently, its extension would be contingent on staging a race this year. Then the fact that the FOM has been reluctant to comment on the current developments casts a bad light on the whole thing.

F1, Racing News 365, BBC