After reports surfaced last week, Formula 1 (F1) has cancelled the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix, which will make it four years since the championship visited the country.

Originally scheduled for 16 April next year, the event was always dependent on COVID-19 restrictions being eased by the country.

Commenting on the cancellation, F1 said in a statement: “Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation.”

The cancellation now leaves a four-week gap between the Australian Grand Prix on 2 April and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 30 April, however, Formula 1 is already looking at potential replacements and will give an update in due course.

Moving the Baku race forward was an option for F1, which would reduce the gap between races, but Azerbaijan officials insisted on keeping the original date.

Additionally, Portimão could be a likely replacement after standing in for races in the 2020 and 2021 championships that were impacted by the pandemic.

The announcement comes after ESPN reported a record in F1 broadcasting numbers.