F1 2023 Schedule Gets A Calendar Gap As China Grand Prix Will Not Be Replaced.
Formula 1 can confirm the 2023 season will consist of 23 races. All existing race dates on the calendar remain unchanged.
Formula 1 will not replace the cancelled Chinese Grand Prix and has confirmed the 2023 season will feature 23 grands prix with a large gap between races in April.
Shanghai originally appeared on the provisional 24-race schedule for 2023 but was never considered likely to happen because of China’s situation regarding COVID-19.
Restrictions in China and the potential consequences for those returning from the country meant F1 considered it impossible to hold the race without major compromises, and even as restrictions eased at the start of 2023 a late attempt from organizers to get it reinstated failed.
F1 held discussions with potential replacement venues to take the vacant April 16 slot, aiming for a potential 24 total races. But despite Portugal looking like a strong favorite to get back on the calendar after Portimao’s 2020 and ’21 appearances, F1’s position was always that it was open to not replacing China at all.
F1 has now confirmed that no race will take China’s slot and the calendar will feature 23 grands prix, which is still a record with the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
So what does this mean for the schedule? Well for the drivers probably a Hallelujah. With the break, there are four weeks, or three empty weekends, between the third round of the season in Australia (April 2) and the next race in Azerbaijan (April 30). Drivers in 2022 criticized the scheduling post Australia. With this break, there is time to adjust the body and get the cars to the next destination without it being a tight timeline.
Miami GP Fixing Surface For 2023 Race
Drivers were vocal after their very first day of racing in the circuit for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. Some forecasters felt this was a recipe for doom for the new host, regardless of the 10-year contract they had signed with F1.
Some of the things heard at the race included: “The surface is a joke” and it feels “wet” when driving off-line. Fernando Alonso called the asphalt “not-F1 standard” and particular criticism was aimed at the lack of grip off-line – with complaints that it felt like driving “almost on gravel” according to world champion Max Verstappen.
The event organizers listened and are in the process of making surface changes. Despite having 45 overtakes throughout the race including a pass for the win, the second-ever Miami GP will take place on a resurfaced circuit that should improve grip and consequently even more overtaking opportunities.
Organizers for the Miami Grand Prix appointed renown track designers TILKE to oversee a repaving of the entire 3.36-mile race track which will increase the spectacle of this year’s race by assisting the opportunity for drivers to overtake one another.
“After an incredible debut race, we have been working flat-out to ensure the 2023 event is an even greater experience for everyone visiting the Miami International Autodrome,” said Tyler Epp, President of FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “Stephen Ross and Tom Garfinkel are committed to making May’s event a best-in-class experience that is unlike any other Formula 1 race in the world. With new and enhanced hospitality experiences, the creation of the F1 Team Village directly on the football field and increased capacity we are expecting our second race to be even bigger and better for the fans, the teams, drivers, partners and everyone in South Florida.”
Resurfacing aside, there won’t be any track changes made for 2023 although changes were considered – including discussions around the Turn 14/15 chicane that race winner Verstappen said he’d only enjoy in a kart.
Miami Grand Prix Announces Significant Campus Upgrades Ahead of 2023 Race.
Highlights of Upgrades Include:
- Major investment made in the event, with the introduction of a brand-new permanent Paddock Club building constructed above the pit garages
- 2023 race will see the F1 paddock expanded onto the field of Hard Rock Stadium where team hospitality units will be based, creating the Formula 1 Team Village
- MIA Marina, Hard Rock Beach Club, F1 Fan Zone all enhanced for 2023, with new spaces The Vista at
Turn 1 and The Boathouse at MIA Marina created to increase hospitality capacity
Following on from the success of the first-ever Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, event organizers have made a significant investment ahead of the 2023 edition of the race. In consultation with the teams, FIA and Formula 1, SFM have spent the past six months constructing the new permanent 190,000 square foot Paddock Club building that will house over 6,000 guests in premium suites and a luxury rooftop club.
The new three-tiered Paddock Club structure has been built above the existing team pit garages and overlooks the pitlane and start/finish straight. For the 2023 edition of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, SFM have appointed global catering experts DO & CO to provide a premium hospitality experience for this exclusive area. There are also additional hospitality experiences at Miami International Autodrome for 2023 which include new spaces The Vista at Turn 1 and The Boathouse at MIA Marina.
One of the major updates for 2023 will see the Formula 1® paddock expanded onto the Miami Dolphins football field in the center of Hard Rock Stadium. The all-new Team Village will house the hospitality units of the ten F1® teams where the drivers will be based across the weekend. Organizers have worked closely with Formula 1® on creating this new expanded paddock to create a truly unique experience for the teams as well as the benefit of this increased paddock space. For the first time ever fans will also have an exclusive insight into the behind-the-scenes working of a Formula 1® paddock as all general admission Campus Pass ticket holders will be able to access the 300 level of Hard Rock Stadium and look directly into the Team Village from above. These tickets will go on sale from January 23rd.
