F1 Unveil Record-Breaking 2023 Calendar – Sport Grill

F1 have unveiled a record-breaking 24 race calendar for 2023 season, with the French Grand Prix dropped from the schedule.

The race at Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castallet, France, has been dropped due to proving unpopular with fans, as the Chinese and Qatar Grands Prix return after respective three seasons and one season absence.

FIA have scheduled the Chinese GP for 14-16 April as F1 returns to Shanghai for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic, whilst Qatar will take place on weekend of 6-8 October.

Bahrain will again host the season-opener which will take place from 3-5 March followed by Saudi Arabia and Australia, as each of the opening four rounds take place with a fortnight break between race weekends.

Azerbaijan and Miami will form the first of six separate double-headers across the season, which culminates with the debut of Las Vegas GP then season-closing Abu Dhabi GP on weekends of 16-18 then 24-26 November.

There will also be two triple-headers with the first compromising of Imola, Monaco and Spain between 21 May – 4 June, whilst Texas, Mexico and Brazil form the second triple-header across 22 October – 5 November.

In a change of format, Hungary will no longer host the last race prior to the summer break which will instead be held in Belgium on 30 July, with the Hungarian GP held a week earlier, whilst the Dutch GP will kick off the final 10 races on 27 August.

Speaking about the new 2023 calendar, FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented: “The presence of 24 races on the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is further evidence of the growth and appeal of the sport on a global scale.

“The addition of new venues and the retention of traditional events underlines the FIA’s sound stewardship of the sport. I am delighted that we will be able to take Formula 1’s new era of exciting racing, created by the FIA’s 2022 Regulations, to a broader fan base in 2023.”

Next season will also avoid a clash with 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours on 10-11 June, as Ben Sulayem added: “In framing the 2023 F1 calendar, WMSC Members have also been mindful of the timing of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Monaco GP Extends Contract

F1 has agreed a new three-year deal with Automobile Club of Monaco to keep Monaco Grand Prix on the calendar until the end of 2025 season.

“I am pleased to confirm that we will be racing in Monaco until 2025 and excited to be back on the streets of this famous Principality for next year’s Championship on May 28,” commented F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali.

Domenicali proceeded to thank those involved in agreeing this new contract as he added: “I want to thank everyone involved in this renewal and especially H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and all his team.

“We look forward to being back next season to continue our partnership together.”

Boeri meanwhile commented that the Automobile Club of Monaco are “proud” to sign a new three-year contract to stay on the F1 calendar, as he added that the contract is “likely” to get renewed to keep the race on the calendar beyond 2025.