Motorsports

Key takeaways from the 2023 F1 calendar

By Balazs Szabo on

Although the present season nonetheless finds itself in an intense section, the preparation for the 2023 championship has already began after Formula 1 had introduced the calendar for the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship yesterday. F1Technical’s Balázs Szabó analyses the newly introduced 2023 F1 calendar.

Early begin – The 2023 F1 season will kick off in Bahrain on March 5 which presents an earlier begin than common. The Bahrain Grand Prix made its debut in 2004 and appeared as the season-opener for the first time two years later.

Finally again – The Chinese Grand Prix makes its return for the first time since 2019 on April 16. Just as Bahrain, China held its first ever Formula One race again in 2004, and established itself as a fixture on the calendar till the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019. The Shanghai race was not included into the 2022 calendar resulting from the pandemic, though it’s lastly set to return subsequent yr with the contract of the Chinese Grand Prix operating till 2025.

Race nonetheless on – Despite fears that the Monaco Grand Prix may disappear from the calendar, the 2023 F1 schedule incorporates the sport’s legendary race. Formula One held negotiations for a number of months with the Automobile Club of Monaco with numerous points holding again the finalization of the new contract.

Among the points was that the Principality has paid Formula 1 a minimal internet hosting charge, reportedly about $15 million, largely due to its historical past and standing. There was additionally a conflict between sponsorship agreements as Monaco’s most important sponsor is the TAG Heuer model which is a direct competitor of Formula 1 sponsor Rolex. However, issues appear to have settled for the close to future as Formula introduced yesterday that it’s going to proceed to race in Monaco till 2025.

Double races – Italy will as soon as once more sport two races in 2023. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been moved to May with the Italian Grand Prix taking an analogous spot that it has been used to lately.

Imola reappeared on the F1 schedule in 2020 after the Covid-19 led to a disruption. Although it was considered a “one-off” race, the the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has remained on the calendar since, and can proceed to be held at Imola till at the very least 2025.

The well-known strip – Formula One will return to Las Vegas with the race scheduled to happen the week earlier than Thanksgiving on November 18, 2023. Taking place at night time in opposition to the iconic Las Vegas backdrop, the observe will see drivers attain jaw-dropping speeds of over 340kph as they race round a few of the world’s most iconic landmarks, motels and casinos on the legendary Las Vegas Strip.

The weekend will begin on Wednesday with a star-studded opening ceremony, that includes music acts and staple Las Vegas leisure. The spectacular new multi-use Paddock Building will even be unveiled with the weekend set to characteristic unprecedented ranges of F1 exercise and occasions. The Practice will happen on Thursday, November 16 and Qualifying on Friday, November 17, forward of the Saturday night time race.

Back once more – Qatar made its debut final yr, changing the cancelled Australian Grand Prix. Following a yr absence, the Qatar Grand Prix will return to the calendar on a 10-year contract from 2023. Although the first race came about at the Losail International Circuit, it has not been determined but the place the 2023 race will happen with a brand new everlasting circuit deliberate outdoors the capital metropolis, however Qatar’s Losail continues to be in the body.

Spa nonetheless on the schedule – Although there have been issues relating to the way forward for the Belgian Grand Prix, Formula One introduced at the finish of August that the Belgian GP will probably be on the schedule for 2023.

With solely absent on the calendar in six seasons, Spa has been a much-loved F1 observe by drivers and followers for greater than 70 years, however the the circuit’s ageing services and its traditionally poor site visitors administration have put its place at risk lately. Despite the one-year extension, Belgium’s long-term future stays unresolved and the identical uncertainty may come up subsequent yr once more.

Heritage race axed – The first ever race to be known as grand prix, the French Grand Prix has been dropped, however organisers say they’re eager to carry the race on a rotation system in the future. The French Grand Prix was first dropped from the F1 schedule after 2008, however the race was then revived in 2018 with the latest stint of races at Circuit Paul Ricard.


earlier | subsequent

Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button