Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] The 2024 F1 World Championship
officially kicks off in Bahrain with a unique schedule change. While Formula 1
races have traditionally taken place on Sundays, the first two races of the
2024 season will be held on Saturdays. This adjustment is due to the start of
Ramadan in Arab countries, which begins on March 10, falling on a Sunday this
year. Originally, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was scheduled for that day, but
considering this special circumstance, the FIA (Federation Internationale de
l’Automobile) decided to move the entire weekend schedule forward by one day.
According to FIA regulations, there must be a minimum of seven days between
races, necessitating the move of the season opener in Bahrain to Saturday. The
Bahrain Grand Prix schedule for this year is also altered due to the
unconventional Saturday race. The media day shifted from Thursday to Wednesday,
and the track training session was rescheduled for Thursday. There is only a
20-hour gap between the end of qualifying and the start of the race. It’s
important to note that the collision between Ramadan and the F1 schedule is an
isolated incident. Starting from the third race, the Australian Grand Prix, the
F1 races will return to their usual Sunday format.