Portugal may host a Formula 1 World Cup race in 2023 after China’s withdrawal from hosting one of the races as scheduled.
Following a rising number of cases in recent weeks, Chine has taken stringent steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The organisation (F1) on Friday formally announced the conditions required to go racing could not be met.
“Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the Covid-19 situation,” said their statement.
“Formula 1 is looking for alternative options to replace this round on the calendar, which will be announced “in due course.” they added.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Chinese GP has been canceled due to restrictions brought on by the pandemic. China would host the fourth race of 2023, scheduled between April 14-16.
At the moment, China is facing a situation of zero tolerance for positive cases, which has generated protests from the population in the streets of several cities.
A space opens up that could be replaced by Portimao with the exit of China, as Joao Carlos Costa, F1 commentator on Sport TV and specialist in motorsport said.
He admitted the same that small details are missing, to be resolved before the FIA World Council, scheduled for December 9, in Bologna
The calendar for the 2023 competitions will be discussed at the World Council of the International Automobile Federation. Algarve, in Portimao.
Portugal was an alternative to some of the races canceled due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Back then, Lewis Hamilton won both races at the circuit in the Algarve. It had been a long time since Portugal hosted a GP. In 1996, the last Portuguese Grand Prix was held at the Estoril circuit.
