Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix on a Saturday? 2024 F1 season opener moved to unique time

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The 2024 Formula 1 season will speed back onto the sporting calendar earlier than ever this weekend.

The new F1 campaign was always due to be held at an advanced date due to a record 24 Grands Prix taking place this year.


Bahrain has been the home of F1’s first race since 2021

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F1 2024 schedule in FULL with start times for every practice session, qualifying, and race

However, the 2024 season opener in Bahrain has been moved forward even earlier.

Race weekends typically take place across three days, with Friday practice, qualifying on Saturday, before concluding with Grand Prix Sunday.

But this year, the world’s best drivers first got behind the wheel on Thursday ahead of the main race on Saturday.

Why is the Bahrain GP on a Saturday?

Bahrain, which has hosted the F1 season opener since 2021, has previously held each race on a Sunday as is the sport’s custom.

However, due to Ramadan, the 2024 race will be on Saturday night.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a key religious holiday for the Muslim community, starts on Sunday, March 10.

That is the initially scheduled for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the second race due to take place in the 2024 F1 calendar.

To avoid a clash with Ramadan, F1 organisers brought forward the race in Jeddah by one day to Saturday, March 9.

In turn, that decision has had a knock-on effect on the Bahrain GP, with FIA rules dictating that there must be at least seven days between races.

The two Grand Prix are not the only races this year to be held on a Saturday, with the Las Vegas GP also falling on a Saturday.

“We have found a solution so that European fans can watch the race with a cup of coffee at six or seven in the morning, just like it happens in the U.S. during the European races,” said Las Vegas GP CEO, Renee Wilm.


Verstappen is already on course for glory once again this season

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Bahrain 2024 GP: How to follow

The race weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit is taking place from Thursday, February 29 to Saturday, March 2.

Light’s Out for the Grand Prix will take place at 3pm UK time on Saturday.

The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.

Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm on Sunday.

Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £11.98 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.

Fern Buckley will have updates from Bahrain live on talkSPORT. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.


Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport