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The Chinese Grand Prix has been called off yet again for the 2023 season and we know that Formula 1 bosses are chasing a replacement to keep the calendar at 24 races.
China was named on the initial 2023 F1 calendar but will not happen because of the issues around hosting the event like normal due to the country’s ongoing COVID issues.
The most linked venue in recent weeks has been the Portimao circuit, which hosted grands prix in 2020 and 2021. The Portugal promoter is believed to have the funding to pull off another grand prix and is widely considered the leading candidate.
It is an all-round solid option for a relatively late-notice stand-in, and seems the most likely at this stage (assuming China does indeed get replaced).
But a stand-out favourite to join the calendar doesn’t stop us from dreaming, especially as F1’s keen to play up the fact more options exist – and rightly so, because there are loads of fun candidates out there.
F1 is likely to have a very small shortlist but a range of circuits have been temporary options during the COVID-19 pandemic and we think there are loads more viable candidates.
Although with some of our suggestions for other ways F1 could consider replacing China, it may have to get a bit more creative, or be willing to sacrifice a few million dollars as well…
ADELAIDE
Let’s start with an option that’s probably not on any F1 long-list for 2023 or beyond: Adelaide.
Australian fans had to sit through having no race at all in 2020 and 2021 so this would be a nice reward for them as well as a throwback to a classic venue, and the city itself was tentatively interested in reviving the race a few years ago. Though last used by F1 in 1995, it’s still part of the Supercars calendar.
But there’s one thing that stood out about Adelaide for us, and it’s in the interest of sustainability – a powerful buzzword in F1.
The China gap follows the Australian GP in the 2023 schedule. Staying put for an Aussie double-header would give some sustainability credibility to the F1 schedule, as frankly it is ridiculous for F1 to travel all the way to Melbourne for a one-off, without even having an Asian or Middle Eastern race to pair it with.
SEPANG
Whenever the subject of a potential replacement race comes up in F1, Sepang is always a popular shout.
The Malaysian Grand Prix hasn’t been held since 2017 because crowd numbers were not considered good enough compared to the rising cost of hosting the event.
So, it’s never actually done a deal in the Liberty Media era. But in just a few years, several F1 races have gone from struggling to selling out tickets.
The championship’s popularity has never been greater, so a Malaysian GP could be a very different story in 2023. And Sepang is a mega track, which should still be hosting F1.
Unfortunately, there still doesn’t seem to be much appetite from circuit bosses to bring F1 back, at least in the short-term, largely thanks to the economic impact of the pandemic.
F1 doesn’t need to convince countries to hold a race given demand is massive but this would be a brilliant one to change its tactic for, to try to tempt back into the fold.
ISTANBUL
The Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul returned twice in two COVID-hit seasons and can be presumed to be a keen candidate.
It was very interested in striking a long-term deal with F1 beyond the last of those races in 2021.
However, while the circuit was once something of a modern classic, its years of minimal use have taken their toll and the infrastructure isn’t really viewed as F1-level anymore.
It remains a good solution if F1 finds itself in a hole, could benefit from some state funding, and is more realistic than some others we’re suggesting here.
SEOUL
A slightly different variation on the theme for this one: how about not necessarily replacing China for 2023 and switching priorities, even if it has to be a longer-term move?
F1 has a lot of interest in racing in Seoul (NOT on the track that hosted the Formula E season finale, pictured above) and the South Korean capital is just as interested in welcoming the championship.
A new race, even a street track, is not going to be ready by April 2023 and maybe not even later in the year. So, a like-for-like China 2023 replacement probably isn’t possible.
But F1’s trying to rebuild its presence in Asia after the COVID-hit years and South Korea is a great candidate for F1 to prioritise in the east longer-term.
There would be worse announcements than to hear F1 is shooting for the moon with Seoul and seeing what’s possible – whether that’s for 2023 or, much more realistically, beyond.
HOCKENHEIM OR NURBURGRING
F1 is slowly evolving the spread of its calendar and that means European races are falling away.
While the money coming in from the Middle East and the growth opportunities seen in the US and Asia appeal to F1, championship bosses know that its spiritual heartland is crucial.
The German market is particularly important, so the decline of its presence has been regrettable to F1.
With Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher leaving the grid at the same time, Germany’s relevance has depleted further – even with Nico Hulkenberg returning.
F1 isn’t thrilled about that, so why not try to bring back the German Grand Prix?
Doing a one-off, favourable deal for either Hockenheim or Nurburgring to come back in 2023 would be a valid way of tapping into the German market and seeing if there’s enough interest to revive the race full-time as part of F1’s current boom.
KYALAMI
F1 has wanted to add a race in South Africa for a few years now and it looked as though this could happen as early as next year.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali even travelled to Kyalami earlier this year with the hope a deal could be struck for the race to be held in April 2023.
But negotiations dragged on without resolution and it is believed that the promoters didn’t convince F1 that the race could be guaranteed beyond just one year.
It wouldn’t work for F1 to celebrate the return of South Africa to the schedule only for it to disappear after one edition.
But if it’s brought in as a standalone, it could act as a litmus test of the interest in the race and its viability and be perfectly viable to frame it as a one-off.
BUDDH
The circuit outside Delhi only staged three grands prix and none of them were classics but it was one of the better modern circuits to have appeared on the F1 calendar in the 21st century, even drawing comparisons to Spa and Suzuka from drivers as esteemed as Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
A return to India would be welcome. There’s a lot to like about it and going back there would add lustre to the world championship and a race in a country with a lot of F1 interest, not to mention offer a replacement for China that’s still in Asia – even if it’s not a like-for-like swap in the east.
The circuit has remained in use and will even be a slightly surprising part of the 2023 MotoGP calendar.
That means it still has international aspirations, and the means to fulfil them. So, who’s to say a second crack at F1 is impossible?
PAUL RICARD
The reported impending closure of the company that has promoted the French Grand Prix since 2018 isn’t a particularly encouraging start for this suggestion.
France was on the calendar until this season and has fallen off because it lacks massive financial support, has had logistical issues related to circuit access, and never really wowed drivers and fans.
But Paul Ricard is a permanent and high-quality facility, perfectly equipped to host F1, with recent experience of what’s needed and investment in improving the problems around the event.
As far as ‘plug-in-and-play’ host venues go, it is extremely practical.
DON’T BOTHER
Some might argue that doing nothing is the best option. F1’s bloated calendar is a very divisive topic, after all.
F1 is keen to replace China on the existing schedule because of the gap that would be left in the calendar if that slot stays empty.
China was meant to hold a standalone event on April 16, between the races in Australia and Azerbaijan.
One idea is to not replace China and bring Azerbaijan forward one week to April 23, which would also free the Baku race from an awkward back-to-back with Miami.
It is understood that there was resistance to this from the Baku promoter, so this idea could be dead in the water.
It would be a shame if so, as it would be a nice compromise that maintains the rhythm of the calendar, eradicates a rubbish double-header, and proves F1 is willing to forego extra races if necessary.
