Formula 1 has announced a new deal to keep the Chinese Grand Prix on the calendar until at least 2025.
The race at the Shanghai International Circuit was first held in 2004. However it was absent from the schedule for the second time this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and has not been included on the 2022 F1 calendar.The continuation of the race “is great news for all of our fans in China” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“Our partnership with the promoter Juss Sports is incredibly strong and we look forward to continuing our long term partnership.
“While we are all disappointed we could not include China on the 2022 calendar due to ongoing pandemic conditions, China will be restored to the calendar as soon as conditions allow and we look forward to being back with the fans as soon as we can.”
Chinese racer Guanyu Zhou, who lies second in the Formula 2 standings, is among the potential candidates for the final remaining seat on the F1 grid for next year. If he gains the place at Alfa Romeo, he would become the first Chinese driver to participate in an F1 race.
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Lenny
6th November 2021, 3:12
Finally some good news on the circuit front.
RatSack
6th November 2021, 3:33
Not sure this is a good idea. I know F1 doesn’t and should not ever play politics (every country has its issues), but when an international war with China looks more likely everyday, having a contract until 2025 seems optimistic.
Alan Dove
6th November 2021, 8:35
If there is war with China all GPs are off, so not sure your point has merit
Dex
6th November 2021, 11:08
It’s a cold war that’s starting. Things evolve, wars evolve, first Cold war was a new thing, never seen before. In this day and age I suppose this conflict with China will look different as well. But then it doesn’t mean F1 needs to be affected, after all it’s European series (that tries to be global), not American. That’s not weird to me, what’s weird that they’re cancelling all the races and who knows when we’ll see the next one, so this contract seems a bit worthless.
Yaru (@yaru)
6th November 2021, 10:03
It depends on the content of the contract. There might be exit clauses in case of events that will help both sides.
Hopefully F1 has learned more from the massive scheduling challenges two years (which it has done a fantastixlc job) and can insert such clauses going forward.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
6th November 2021, 7:23
The what Grand Prix? It’s only been gone for 2 years but it had slipped my mind that it existed! Perhaps a reflection on my fondness for the circuit, but probably more my Swiss cheese memory.
Yaru (@yaru)
6th November 2021, 10:00
Yes it has been a tough 2 years calender wise with races needing to be rescheduled or cancelled but finally we are returning to normality next year.
I am also hoping Australia returns next year too. We have not had it for two years and it’s nice to see the countries that had to cancel back. Maybe even Japan too.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
6th November 2021, 11:17
@yaru yes Melbourne is definitely one that I have actually missed. Then Montreal and Suzuka. Shanghai I’d totally forgotten about. Oh, and I’d nearly forgotten about Singapore.
S
6th November 2021, 8:04
China is an enormous potential market. There are far worse places that F1 can, and do, visit.
Personally, I find the Chinese GP quite acceptable.
The politics outside of F1 are not relevant.
some racing fan
6th November 2021, 8:21
They should have a GP in Hong Kong or something- not on the Chinese mainland.
S
6th November 2021, 9:09
Why? Because of external politics?
Shanghai International Circuit is fine.
Yaru (@yaru)
6th November 2021, 9:58
I don’t see the issue with a China GP either. If they are willing to host, and fans can come enjoy the race, it’s fine.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
6th November 2021, 11:21
With all the talk of getting a second and even a third race in the US to tap into the US economy (and the jury is out on whether that plan will work), I wonder whether there were pre-pandemic plans to do the same in China which is very similar to the US. Large country, massive economy, but as yet not a large F1 following. So like the US, China has lots of untapped potential.
Jere (@jerejj)
6th November 2021, 10:15
Chinese GP’s long-term continuity was never doubtful anyway.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
6th November 2021, 13:50
We race as one has a different meaning in China. See Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
6th November 2021, 14:11
How can you “keep” an event on the calendar that was not, is not, and will not be on any of the calendars.
ryanoceros (@ryanoceros)
6th November 2021, 18:44
I’m not sure why they think this is a good idea. China has been detaining westerners arbitrarily, can’t stop talking about invading Taiwan, and said nothing to the global health community while Covid-19 spread across the planet. China needs to be a good global citizen before F1 returns.