Chinese Grand Prix ready to return in 2024

After four years off the Formula 1 calendar, it is understood that the government in Shanghai is “desperate” for the F1 grid to return to China.

According to Mark Dreyer of China Sports Insider, China are looking to return back to normality following their nationwide removal of the ‘zero-covid policy’. In an effort to control the spread of the virus, the government had imposed a strict regime which included the restriction of international events throughout the country.

This has since been lifted, and authorities in China are eager to orchestrate a return for Grand Prix racing at the Shanghai International Circuit. Governing bodies in neighbouring Macau have almost finalised negotiations for a 2023 Macau Grand Prix, and other sporting events such as the Asian Games have already been confirmed to take place on the mainland.

Dreyer said: “China’s desperate to try to get back to normal.”

“I will be staggered if there is not a race next year.”

Opposition to China’s return

It is believed that the Shanghai government had attempted to get ready for an F1 return this year, but the FIA decided to omit China from the 2023 calendar.

There seems to be some apprehension to return to the country, in part due to their secretive nature regarding their handling of the coronavirus pandemic. China have failed to provide reliable data when it comes to the number of infected people as well as fatalities.

This has eroded away their efforts to open up for international business, including getting the country back on the F1 calendar. This is despite the country abandoning testing, mandatory mask-wearing and extra airport check-in requirements.

Dreyer added: “[China] is realising that actually the rest of the world is re-approaching China with some caution.”

“No one really knows what the numbers were in terms of cases or deaths or any of that kind of thing, and so there was a huge amount of uncertainty.”

The removal of the Chinese Grand Prix has opened up a four-week break between the Australian and Azerbaijan rounds of the season. This has provided a rare opportunity for respite for the 20 drivers in what is a jam-packed and exhausting year of racing.

Many teams will use this gap to allow their drivers to rest; Mercedes for example have scheduled in some ‘recharge time’ for both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to make sure they are fit and ready for Baku.

Feature Image Credit: REUTERS