As teams and drivers prepare for the upcoming Formula 1 season, they face an unprecedented situation – the 2024 season is set to be the longest in F1’s history, with a staggering 24 grands prix on the calendar. However, what truly sets this season apart is its unconventional start, with two races taking place on Saturdays. The Bahrain Grand Prix on 2 March and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on 9 March mark the beginning of this extraordinary season.
Curious as to why two races are scheduled on Saturdays? The answer lies in the religious observance of Ramadan, which begins on Sunday, 10 March, the originally planned date for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. To accommodate for Ramadan, the race has been brought forward one day, allowing it to be held on Saturday night – avoiding any conflicts with the holy month.
Regulations Force an Early Start in Bahrain
Meanwhile, the Bahrain season opener also had to be adjusted due to F1 regulations. These regulations stipulate that there must be at least a week between two races. Consequently, the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved one day earlier to Saturday, resulting in the entire schedule being brought forward by a day. This change means that the two one-hour free practice sessions are now held on Thursday, with the third session and qualifying sessions taking place on Friday. Ultimately, the aim is to dedicate the first day of the weekend entirely to the race itself.
However, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are not the only races scheduled for a Saturday in the 2024 season. The Las Vegas Grand Prix on 24 November will also take place on a Saturday. The reasoning behind this decision is the significant time difference with Europe. The race in Las Vegas is scheduled to start at 10 pm local time. If it were to occur on a Sunday, it would commence at 6 am on a Monday morning in the UK. This timing poses a challenge for F1 fans worldwide, many of whom would have work commitments on Monday. Concerns over poor viewing figures prompted organizers to reschedule the race for Saturday, allowing a larger global audience to tune in without any time zone constraints.
While racing on a day other than Sunday is unusual in the world of Formula 1, it is not completely unheard of. In fact, only 75 F1 races have been held on days other than Sunday throughout history. The most recent example prior to the 2024 season was the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. To find an earlier occurrence, one must go back 38 years to the 1985 South African Grand Prix, which also took place on a Saturday. These deviations from the traditional Sunday race schedule serve as reminders of the sport’s ability to adapt and accommodate unique circumstances.
The 2024 Formula 1 season promises to be an extraordinary one, not only due to the record-breaking number of races but also because of the unusual start and scheduling adjustments necessitated by Ramadan and global audience considerations. As teams and fans gear up for this exceptional season, they can look forward to witnessing the spectacle of F1 racing on Saturdays, a rare occurrence that adds another layer of excitement to the world’s most prestigious motorsport.
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