The Formula 1 calendar is set for a shake-up: races on Saturdays and teams free to leave on Sundays. The trial run conducted in the Middle East, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia moving a day earlier due to Ramadan, has impressed the organizers of the respective Grands Prix. The concept could be confirmed in the coming years and, who knows, perhaps even expanded to more events.
Changes in Formula 1 never cease. After the introduction of the Sprint format, the first true revolution of the race weekend, we are heading towards a new horizon for the sport: races on Saturdays. The experiment in the Middle East was successful, and both organizers and Liberty Media are thrilled with the results at their circuits.
“We are absolutely considering making Saturday racing permanent,” revealed English businessman Martin Whitaker, the CEO of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, in a recent interview for the RacingNews365 website – “It would be a great idea: teams find it easier, with much of their personnel already home on Sundays. Taking a flight at 2 in the morning and being home in Europe early morning is one of the advantages of the Middle East.” – he added.
“There are multiple benefits to racing on Saturdays in the country in question. It’s something that works, undoubtedly, even looking at Bahrain. I was there during Friday’s Free Practice sessions, and the atmosphere was electric. People are relaxed and don’t have to worry about going to work the next day.” – the man helping to drive motor racing forward in Saudi Arabia concluded.
Whether the format experimented with in the first two rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 Championship can also be applied to European Grands Prix remains to be seen. If the evidence shows logistical and economic advantages, however, it’s likely that some experiments will also be conducted in the Old Continent.
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Source: f1ingenerale
