COVID-19-related challenges lead to cancellation of Chinese Grand Prix

The Chinese Grand Prix that was due to take place next year has been cancelled.

Formula 1 said the Shanghai event would not take place "due to ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation", Sky News reports.

The sport is now facing a four-week hole in the 2023 calendar with the defunct round in China sandwiched between races in Melbourne on April 2 and Azerbaijan on April 30.

But it is understood that F1 bosses are in dialogue with a number of venues interested in filling the gap to ensure a record 24 rounds still go ahead.

The cancellation of the race in China marks the fourth season it has been scrubbed from the schedule.

The 2023 season will start in Bahrain on March 5 and conclude in Abu Dhabi on November 26.