Formula 1, green light ahead: in 2024 we start on Saturday

The green light will go offà a day early.

Formula 1 even earlier than expected, in the face of a calendar that is already quite early compared to recent habits. The 2024 season will in fact kick off on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix. It was not since 1992 that the championship started so early (at that time the South African Grand Prix was held on March 1°). Most importantly, the inaugural race, as well as the next one in Saudi Arabia, will be held on a Saturday rather than Sunday.

The decision has a clear reason, and it is actually due not to the first round of the Formula 1 calendar but to the second. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which was to be held on Sunday, March 10, in Jeddah, will instead take place the day before. The decision to move it to Saturday, March 9, has a very specific reason: è the day of the start of Ramadan, which is crucial for the local population.

Therefore, the reason why the Bahrain Grand Prix will also be brought forward by one day (Saturday, March 2, precisely) has only logistical reasons. Indeed, Formula 1 does not want teams to have only six days between one race and the next. Moreover, 2024 will experience, like the previous year, a third weekend with its climax on Saturday: the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be held on Nov. 23 at 10 p.m. local time, in this case for mere TV opportunity.