27 February 2024 , 09:17
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The opening race of the new Formula 1 season is set to be held on a Saturday instead of a Sunday, having been brought forward by a day.
That is because Ramadan begins on Sunday, March 10, which would have clashed with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. As a result, F1 decided to reschedule that race for Saturday, March 9 and there has been a knock-on effect.
FIA rules state that there must be a full seven days between races and the scheduling change in Saudi Arabia means the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the season, will now take place on Saturday, March 2.
It's due to start at 3pm UK time and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will start at 6pm UK time. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will also be held on a Saturday once again this year.
However, that is due to ensure the event can maximise its audience, with the race set to start on Saturday evening for American viewers but early on Sunday morning for fans across Europe who also want to tune in.
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"We wanted to make sure they can get up with a cup of coffee and watch the race, just like we do here in America for the European races," Renee Wilm, the CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, said
"It became very much just kind of factoring all of these concerns in, and we arrived at the 10pm start time as the best of the available options." Wilm also admitted it was "very much a compromise following multiple conversations with all the local stakeholders in Las Vegas".
The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday (Getty Images)"We really tried to triangulate what was a good time for the locals," Wilm added. "We want to be a good neighbour in Las Vegas. We're here to race for many decades to come.
"When you think about some of the later shows or even boxing matches and other events, it's very common to have a later start time for a show when you have dinner first. Here, everyone will be enjoying our dinner at our track."
Max Verstappen once again begins the season as the favourite, having utterly dominated the sport last year, while many fans will be interested to see how Lewis Hamilton fares in what will be his final season with Mercedes before he joins Ferrari in 2025.
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