Chinese Grand Prix confirmed to return to Formula 1 series in 2024

After being cancelled in the last four years due to the COVID pandemic, the Chinese F1 Grand Prix will return with a three year contract as of 2024.

After losing its certification due to the pandemic, the Shanghai International Circuit has received a new FIA Grade One license to host Formula 1 races for the three years from 2024.

The circuit, which is the only track in China capable of hosting F1 races and testing, has undergone repair work, including fixes for blemishes on the track surface, partial repair of tire walls, repainting of the underground connecting tunnel, refreshing of grandstand seats, and improvements to the outfield area.

These repairs were carried out by the circuit manager, Juss Sports, after an assessment by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF) in August 2022.

Although the Chinese Grand Prix was scheduled in this year’s race calendar for 16th April when it was released in September last year, it was cancelled due to remaining lockdowns in some parts of the country.

This resulted in a four-week gap between the Australian and Azerbaijan races.

Now, the local race promoter has a deal with F1 until 2025 and is working towards celebratory events for the 20th anniversary of the first F1 race in China in 2004, should the Chinese Grand Prix get the return to the series calendar next year.

An FIA inspector will return to the circuit a month before the event to carry out the final examination if an F1 round goes ahead in 2024 as anticipated.

The Shanghai International Circuit, which has hosted the Chinese F1 round since 2004, is the sole track in China currently capable of hosting an F1 grand prix.

Image: Ferrari's then driver Sebastian Vettel at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix. Credit: Shutterstock.