The Bahrain GP in 2024 will take place on a Saturday for the first time. Let’s explain the reason behind this decision.
Mark the date on the calendar: the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2024 will be held on Saturday. After the three test days at the Sakhir circuit, the ten teams will remain in the Gulf country to prepare for the following weekend when the new Formula 1 season begins.
The inaugural race will be on Saturday instead of Sunday. An unusual choice that partially involves Formula 1.
The Bahrain GP will kick off on March 2, 2024, due to Ramadan. The upcoming month is sacred for Muslims, and according to Sharia law, 30 days of fasting are expected. Due to the start of the major Islamic celebration, the race in Sakhir has been moved forward by 24 hours.
The Saturday scheduling will not only affect Bahrain but also the next race, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This year, Ramadan starts on March 10 and ends on April 8.
In respect of the sacred Islamic holiday, Formula 1 has decided to shift the first two races on the calendar to Saturday, advancing the entire schedule by one day.
The reason behind this choice is related to the F1 regulations, which state that there must be at least one week between two races. This is the reason behind the decision to advance the Bahrain GP as well.
What is the schedule for the Bahrain GP 2024?
The Bahrain weekend will start on Thursday, February 29, with the first two free practice sessions, each lasting one hour. On Friday, there will be the FP3 session, followed by the qualifying session that will determine the starting grid for the Saturday race.
When has F1 raced on Saturday?
Formula 1 is not new to Grand Prix races taking place on Saturdays. In the history of this sport, 75 races have been held on days other than Sunday; the last time it happened was with the Las Vegas GP in 2023.
Source: f1ingenerale
Leave a Reply