Formula 1 (F1) is the most popular motorsport in the world, watched around the globe by millions of fans. It takes drivers on the trip of a lifetime as they race across a number of different continents and in multiple countries stretching from Australia to the United Kingdom and beyond facing a mixture of hot and cold climates, all of which provide their own challenges.
Whilst the current season hasn’t even ended yet with Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing both currently top of the driver and constructor rankings, announcements are already being made for next year’s campaign where both drivers and constructors will compete for another F1 title. The latest announcement is that the 2023 season will see records broken with the longest-ever season on record following the announcement of some old favourites and some new additions taking the list of races to 24.
We are excited to announce the 2023 calendar with 24 races around the world. Formula 1 has unprecedented demand to host races and it is important we get the balance right for the entire sport.
We are very pleased with the strong momentum Formula 1 continues to experience and it is great news that we will be able to bring our passionate fans a mix of exciting new locations such as Las Vegas to the Championship with much loved venues across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali
However, whilst there will be new tracks for F1 fans to enjoy, there is also some sadness with the fact that next season will no longer have a French Grand Prix after failing to negotiate a new contract.
So what are the tracks and dates for next season?
F1 2023 Race Calendar
- 5th March 2023: Sakhir, Bahrain
- 19th March 2023: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- 2nd April 2023: Melbourne, Australia
- 16th April 2023: Shanghai, China
- 30th April 2023: Baku, Azerbaijan
- 7th May 2023: Miami, USA
- 21st May 2023: Imola, Emilia Romagna
- 28th May 2023: Monaco, France
- 4th June 2023: Barcelona, Spain
- 18th June 2023: Montreal, Canada
- 2nd July 2023: Red Bull Ring, Austria
- 9th July 2023: Silverstone, United Kingdom
- 23rd July 2023: Budapest, Hungary
- 30th July 2023: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- 27th August 2023: Zandvoort, Netherlands
- 3rd September 2023: Monza, Italy
- 17th September 2023: Marina Bay, Singapore
- 24th September 2023: Suzuka, Japan
- 8th October 2023: Losail, Qatar
- 22nd October 2023: Austin, USA
- 29th October 2023: Mexico City, Mexico
- 5th November 2023: Sao Paulo, Brazil
- 18th November 2023: Las Vegas, USA
- 26th November 2023: Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
Changes to the 2023 F1 Season
As mentioned, the French Grand Prix will not appear in the 2023 season, however, both Qatar and China will see F1 return and there will also be a new race taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
China will be back following a three-year absence following the lockdown on international sports taking place within its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with restrictions lifting, it allows for the opportunity for the popular motorsport to return. That said, there could still be doubts about whether China will go ahead as the Government is still using lockdowns as an ongoing strategy to restrict the spread of the virus.
The new track in Las Vegas will introduce another exciting street track that will see drivers racing up and down the famous Las Vegas Strip. The new race will be the penultimate event of the season and so if the rankings are close at the end of the season, this new track could play a very exciting part in deciding who walks away with the title.
There are also plans for the new season to further alter the way the season unfolds following the 2021 and 2022’s successful integration of sprint races determining the grid for the main Grand Prix instead of traditional qualifying. Currently, this occurs three times per season, although the FIA are looking to increase this to six races, but which tracks would see these sprints take place are unknown. And the expansion may not even happen with FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem wanting to block the plan despite all teams agreeing to it back in spring.
For those unfamiliar with sprint races, there is a handy video below that explains how these work:
Despite his opposition to the addition of more sprint racing in F1 though, Mohammed ben Sulayem has been vocal in how pleased he is with the rest of the changes to the upcoming season:
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.
In framing the 2023 F1 calendar, WMSC Members have also been mindful of the timing of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Tracks that will be extending their involvement in the 2023 F1 season
Whilst we remind you for the third time that there was a failure to negotiate a new contract for the French Grand Prix, there were some successful negotiations for other tracks. Both Monaco and Belgium managed to successfully secure contracts for additional seasons which include their appearance in next year’s record-breaking season. Monaco will continue to appear in the circuit until 2025 with the extension of Belgium’s Grand Prix only being for one more year as it stands.
Which races will you be looking forward to in particular in the 2023 F1 season? Do you enjoy the new sprint racing or are you on the side of the FIA President in not wanting more of them? Let us know in the comments below all your thoughts ahead of the new season next year.
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