The Chinese GP was last held in 2019 (Photo by Hou Yu/China News Service/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

Formula 1 has announced that the Chinese Grand Prix will not be replaced on the 2023 calendar.

In September, the Shanghai International Circuit was included as one of the venues for a record-breaking 24-race calendar.

F1 had not been to China since 2019 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was hoped this year would be safe to return to the country as the Grand Prix was scheduled to be the fourth round of the championship in April .

However, in December it was announced that the race was canceled again due to the “ongoing difficulties due to the COVID-19 situation”.

But to capitalize on F1’s popularity, the sport’s bosses were determined to replace China on the calendar with Portugal and Turkey as possible targets.

However, despite all efforts, it was announced on Tuesday that the 2023 calendar will now feature just 23 races, still making it the longest F1 season in history.

All races from the 2022 season have been carried over, with the exception of the French Grand Prix, while the controversial return of Qatar and the Las Vegas Grand Prix will also debut in November.

The official F1 calendar for the 2023 season (Photo: F1)

As usual in recent years, the season will start and end in the Middle East, with Bahrain on March 5 and the final in Abu Dhabi on November 26.

The British Grand Prix, again at Silverstone, will take place on July 9.

Drivers and teams are currently preparing for the new season, with cars starting in early February ahead of pre-season testing at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit.

Reigning champions Red Bull are currently the first team to unveil their 2023 challenger, the RB19, on February 3.