While the Formula 1 has temporarily shut down the engines for the summer break, le news about the composition of the calendar for the next season is thickening. According to the latest news, the ten teams will compete in 24 circuits 20 of which have already been made official and two more (Austria and Monaco) will be made soon.
The dance floor
As for the location of the appointments, Circus is trying to group the races in the same continent, in order to reduce transport costs, pollution and the stress of workers. With 22 practically defined tracks, two are missing to complete the picture.
China still risks
The names given are those of South Africa, France, Belgium and China. Among these four, the tracing of Le Castellet seems the one least likely to stay on the calendar. Shanghai, on the other hand, F1 could continue its absence (which has lasted since April 2019) for the same reason that has caused three appointments to be missed from 2020 to today: Covid-19. The pandemic situation is very complicated in the Chinese region and the Chinese GP risks being canceled for the fourth consecutive year.
South Africa slips, Spa takes advantage of it
Also the circuit of Kyalami, in South Africa, seems to have some problems. In addition to the economic hitches, the track has grade 2 infrastructures, a level lower than those required by F1. The work, therefore, may not be completed in time. In all of this, the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, which would re-enter the calendar as the fourth round of the season, in April, a somewhat unusual and insidious date due to the unknown snow in Belgium. After infinite vicissitudes, therefore, lo the historic circuit of the Ardennes should host the top automotive series again in 2023.
All yet to be seen
Will it really be like this? If so, which other circuit will complete the calendar? As the season progresses, there will be more certainties and fewer hypotheses.
