Welcome to Las Vegas! F1 announce bumper 24-race calendar for 2023 season
The largest-ever FIA schedule, approved by the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, will see the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix take place on a Saturday evening with the China GP returning after a three-year absence.
It will be the first time a Grand Prix has been held on a Saturday since 1985.
Qatar returns as the fourth Middle Eastern round after making its debut in 2021. It was left off the 2022 calendar with the country hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Monaco, historically F1's most glamourous race, retains its traditional slot at the end of May following a new three-year deal, however there is no race currently scheduled in South Africa and the France GP has been axed altogether.
F1's bumper schedule will avoid the 24hr Le Mans race, celebrating it's 100th edition from June 10-11th, and will feature two triple-headers with races scheduled in Italy, Monaco and Spain from May to June, with USA, Mexico and Brazil GPs across back-to-back weekends in October and November.
The 2023 season will open in Bahrain on March 5th and conclude with the traditional night-time finale in Abu Dhabi on November 26th.
“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,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“The addition of new venues and the retention of traditional events underlines the FIA’s sound stewardship of the sport.”