Is there an F1 race this weekend?

Fans hungry for more Formula One drama will be sad to check the schedule and see there isn’t a Grand Prix this weekend. Why is that?

Coming off the drama and carnage that came as a result of the FIA’s decision to restart the Australian Grand Prix instead of ending on a safety car, Formula One fans are definitely hungry for another race.

After all, questions linger. Will an Aston Martin finally take a checkered flag this season? Can Ferrari crack the top three in the Constructor Standings after yet another disappointing start to a season? Can Lewis Hamilton finally end his drought of No. 1 finishes (now 26 consecutive races) despite Mercedes building a slower car than the competition?

We need answers, dangit!

Those expecting that the normal cadence of every-other-weekend F1 racing will prevail will be sad to look at the calendar and realize… Woah, there’s no race this week!

In fact, fans need to wait an extended period of time for the next weekend of racing.

Here’s why!

Why is there no F1 race this weekend?

The primary reason why there is no race this weekend is this slot in the schedule would normally be occupied by a Shanghai race, which hasn’t taken place for several years due to local restrictions around the COVID-19 virus. It was removed yet again from the calendar this season.

Zooming out, while the sport has an overwhelming desire to keep racing, the break will allow drivers and paddock crews the time to recharge. The next extended break comes in August, and before that summer break, there are 10 races and two overseas trips (Miami in May, Canada in June) on the schedule.

When is the next F1 race?

The next F1 race isn’t until April 30th in Baku: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix. That means we have a full three weeks off of racing. While that’s not uncommon midseason in the summer months for the traditional break period, having a break that long this early in the season is rare.

Practices and qualifying will take place on April 28th and 29th leading up to that race. Thankfully, we get racing just a week later for the second-ever iteration of the Miami Grand Prix.