How to fill the F1 gap in April: best of the motor racing calendar

The season has only just started, but Formula 1 is now on a 24-day break before the next race — a result of the cancelled Chinese Grand Prix, which was originally scheduled to fill the gap.

There are plenty of other series ready to fill the void, however.

From IndyCar’s visit to an old F1 favourite to a NASCAR race like no other, and the UK’s racing scene firing up, here’s our selection of the top motor sport events that should entertain until F1’s return in Azerbaijan.

Weekend 1: April 8-9

NASCAR Cup Series: Food City Dirt Race

It’s a NASCAR race like no other: the 670bhp machines scrambling across clay in the Food City Dirt Race, the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The 250-lap night race is a constant scene of chaos as drivers battle for traction around a dirt covered circuit – giving fans a taste of the series’ original roots when moonshiners raced on sandy beaches.

Kyle Busch emerged as the victor in 2022, his sixth visit to the top of the podium since 2007, and is currently the only driver to have won on both dirt and tarmac at the Bristol Motor Speedway after its conversion in 2021.

US fans are able to tune in on Fox, PRN and SiriusXM, whilst European fans can watch the action on Sky Premier Sports 1 and 2. Full session times can be found below.

BSB (British Superbikes Championship): Silverstone

Fancy some two wheeled action but can’t wait for MotoGP? Then tune in — or visit — the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on April 9, live from Silverstone.

F1 fans will almost feel at home, as 28 riders fly toward Copse corner – Turn 1 of Silverstone’s frantic National Circuit – before weaving their way toward Brooklands, Luffield and Woodcote.

Bradley Ray celebrated a first British title with the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team in 2022, but another close battle is expected in 2023, meaning plenty of on-track action.

Coverage for the weekend on Eurosport 2 begins on Saturday April 8, with full session times available below.

Weekend 2: April 15-16

NTT IndyCar Series: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

After two action packed rounds in St Petersburg and Texas, IndyCar returns to Long Beach for one of the most anticipated races of the 2023 season, on a circuit steeped in F1 history.

The 1.9 mile track combines the speed of Baku with the punishment of Monaco streets, and provides plenty of overtaking opportunities – as showcased by 2022’s event.

Colton Herta took a dramatic pole position but later crashed during the race, leaving Josef Newgarden and former Haas driver Romain Grosjean to battle to the chequered flag — the former coming out on top.

The hope is that 2023 will produce similar race-long drama which F1 continues to struggle with. Team boss Chip Ganassi has stated that racing Stateside is a “much more exciting” prospect. With Azerbaijan almost a month away, now is the perfect time to find out for yourself.

Coverage of the weekend begins on Saturday April 15, and can be watched live on Peacock and IndyCar Live in the US and the Sky Sports F1 Channel in the UK. Full session times can be found below.

World Endurance Cars (WEC): 6 Hours of Portimao

If the lack of an F1 weekend has left you with ample time to kill, then the 6 Hours of Portimao is the race for you.

The Portuguese circuit is the next stop on the WEC calendar, with the likes of Toyota, Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche looking to replicate some of the drama found in the previous round at Sebring.

Coverage of the 6 hours of Portimao begins on April 15, with European fans able to tune in via Eurosport, whilst the rest of the world can watch via the official WEC app or at FIAWEC.TV. Full session times can be found below.

NASCAR Cup Series: NOCO 400 at Martinsville Speedway

Nascar will return to its more modern format at the NOCO 400, making the switch back from tractionless mud to hardened tarmac – but with the prospect of plenty more drama.

The banked 0.5 mile circuit at Martinsville Speedway has a reputation for keeping cars bumper to bumper, which forced Ross Chastain to pull off a miracle wall ride at 2022’s NASCAR Cup Series race — scraping along the wall on the final corner of the last lap, and gaining enough places to avoid playoff elimination.

You won’t see a repeat this year: Chastain’s “video game move” has now been officially banned by NASCAR.

Full session times can be found below, with US fans able to tune in on Fox Sports, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM, whilst European fans can watch the action on Sky Premier Sports 1 and 2.

MotoGP: Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas

After the first two rounds of the year, MotoGP will be returning from a short break of its own in the middle of April to race at the Circuit of the Americas, home of the US Grand Prix.

The 5.51km circuit boasts a host of challenges for the riders including massive elevation changes, long straights and tight hairpins, all of which should keep bikes close together throughout. Marco Bezzecchi currently leads the world championship — thanks to a third place finish in Portugal and victory in Argentina – followed closely by Francesco Bagnaia.

The addition of a Saturday sprint race to every weekend on this year’s calendar has also increased the competitive action at each round.

Coverage of all practice sessions, qualifying, the sprint race and grand prix can be found on BT Sport, and live session times can be found below.

Weekend 3: April 22-23

Formula E: Berlin E-Prix

Formula 1 may bypass Germany, but the Berlin round is a fixture of the Formula E calendar. The series has already produced some great racing this season, the standout performance coming from Antonio Felix Da Costa and Jean-Eric Vergne at the South African E-Prix. A late yellow flag forced the pair together, as they battled for the lead in the closing stages, Da Costa emerging as the victor for Porsche after a brilliant move on the second to last lap.

Berlin will host back-to-back races on Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 23. Session times can be found below, with live coverage times yet to be confirmed. Practice sessions can be viewed live on the Formula E YouTube Channel or via the Formula E Race Centre.

BTCC: Donington Park

Britain’s premier national series returns at Donington Park, with Tom Ingram beginning his title defence back with Excelr8 and its Hyundai i30. There are familiar foes in the form of Rory Butcher, heading a three-car team at Toyota Gazoo Racing, Colin Turkington — part of a West Surrey Racing, BMW 330e, trio, and Dan Cammish in one of four NAPA Racing Ford Focus STs.

But Gordon Shedden will be absent with the withdrawal of Team Dynamics Racing. Expect nothing less than adrenalin-packed door-to-door action.

Coverage will once again be on ITV, with details expected to be confirmed shortly.

Weekend 4: 29th – 30th

F1’s return at the end of the month comes on a bumper weekend of racing action, including the following:

NTT IndyCar Series: Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

Widely regarded as one of the toughest challenges on the IndyCar calendar, the Alabama Indy Grand Prix is a must see for any motor sport fan who enjoys seeing drivers push to the limit. The 207 mile race through a winding ribbon of tarmac caught out several drivers in 2022.

Renamed the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix for 2023, in support of one of the countries best children’s hospitals, the 90 lap race will start at 3.00pm ET and will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock and IndyCar Live, with UK based viewers able to watch on the Sky Sports F1 Channel.

World Endurance Cars (WEC): 6 hours of Spa Francorchamps

The 6 hours of Spa-Francorchamps may be lost in one of the busiest race weekends on the motor sport calendar, but watching WEC cars fly through Eau Rouge is something you really shouldn’t miss.

Acting as the final hurdle for teams on the run up to Le Mans, a full field of hypercars is set to take part in a race that should supply limitless action – Toyota and Ferrari aiming to battle at the front.

Full coverage of the event begins on April 22, with European fans able to tune in via Eurosport, whilst the rest of the world can watch via the official WEC app or at FIAWEC.TV. Full session times can be found below.

MotoGP: Spanish Grand Prix

As one of the most popular MotoGP venues on the calendar, the Spanish Grand Prix has a rightful place in weekend teeming with motor sport, and will aim to provide an equal amount of on-track drama.

2022’s visit to Jerez went down to the wire, as Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo battled for the lead on the final lap – the Italian putting up a stern defense to earn the race victory. With the great racing MotoGP fans have already been treated to this year, we wouldn’t bet against a drama-filled repeat in 2023.

Coverage of all practice sessions, qualifying, the sprint race and grand prix can be found on BT Sport, and live session times can be found below.

F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix

To round off a sensational weekend of motor sport, F1 returns to Azerbaijan which, despite its rocky start to life on the F1 calendar, has become a fan favourite.

Although Red Bull has begun this season in dominant fashion, claiming victories in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, there have been signs of competition from the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin. An altered race weekend format has also been proposed, with only one practice session on Friday followed immediately by qualifying for the grand prix itself. Saturday would then be dedicated completely to the sprint, with qualifying and the race happening on the same day. The final decision is yet to be made but either way, there will be plenty of wheel-to-wheel action on a track where overtaking can be a simple but dangerous affair.

Coverage of the weekend’s action can be found on Sky Sports F1 or ESPN, with full session times to be confirmed after the format is decided.