New in the calendar
We have just entered 2024 but the minds of all Formula 1 fans are already turning to very first days of March, when the Circus – after having completed the usual 'formality' of the increasingly shorter winter tests – will find itself in Bahrain for the first GP of the season. Waiting to understand if someone will be able to at least try to undermine the dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, one the first novelty will be given by the calendar.
The opening GP of the new season will in fact start on March 2 – never so early since 1992, when the race took place on the 1st of the same month in South Africa – on Saturday. The recent case of Las Vegas on November 18th is therefore somewhat of a lesson, when the race started at 10pm on Saturday, American West Coast time. In that case the 'slot' was found to maximize TV ratings. This time, however, the reason is different and will not only involve the Sakhir match but also round 2, in Saudi Arabia.
Space for Ramadan
The Jeddah match should have been staged Sunday 10 Marchbut that day will begin in Muslim countries on Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam. So it was decided to bring the program forward by one dayso as to run the GP Saturday 9 March. This 'advance' also involved the Bahrain race.
For logistical reasons, given the 'back to back' foreseen by the busy world championship programme, it was in fact preferred to have the opening event of the championship held a day earlier than tradition would have it. The first two races of the year will therefore both be held on Saturday. An unusual one 'tris' which will be completed at the end of the season once again by the Las Vegas eventscheduled for November 23, 2024 and confirmed at the same time as its debut edition.
#room #Ramadan #Bahrain #Saudi #Arabia #Saturday
