When does the 2024 F1 season start?

Kieran Jackson
·2-min read

The 2024 F1 season starts on March 2 with a unique Saturday night race in Bahrain.

Formula 1 embarks on a record-breaking 24-race season next year, an increase from 22 races in 2023.

The season is also longer in terms of duration, running from February-December as opposed to March-November.

Pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 21-23 before the opening race at the same circuit.

Bahrain, which has hosted the season-opener since 2021, usually hosts its grand prix on a Sunday as is customary in the sport, but due to Ramadan next year’s race will be on a Saturday night.

Sunday is considered a “feast day” during the Islamic festival, which sees the world’s almost two-billion Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset during the other six days of the week.

The second race in Saudi Arabia will also be on a Saturday, meaning there will be three out of the record-breaking 24 races held a day earlier than usual, with Las Vegas set for a Saturday night lights out.

The 2024 F1 season starts in Bahrain (Getty Images)
The 2024 F1 season starts in Bahrain (Getty Images)

The Chinese Grand Prix – not held since 2019 due to Covid-19 restrictions – is set to return in Shanghai on April 21, while there are no brand new additions to the calendar, with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps extending its contract for another season after potential plans for a race in South Africa fell through.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be held in its traditional slot on Sunday 7 July and the season will finish, as usual, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina on December 8.

2024 CALENDAR IN FULL:

  • February 29-March 2: Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir

  • March 7-9: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah

  • March 22-24: Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne

  • April 5-7: Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka

  • April 19-21: Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai

  • May 3-5: Miami Grand Prix in Miami Gardens

  • May 17-19: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola

  • May 24-26: Monaco Grand Prix in Monaco

  • June 7-9: Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal

  • June 21-23: Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona

  • June 28-30: Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg

  • July 5-7: British Grand Prix in Silverstone

  • July 19-21: Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest

  • July 26-28: Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps

  • August 23-25: Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort

  • August 30-September 1: Italian Grand Prix in Monza

  • September 13-15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

  • September 20-22: Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore

  • October 18-20: United States Grand Prix in Austin

  • October 25-27: Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City

  • November 1-3: Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo

  • November 21-23: Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas

  • November 29–December 1: Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail

  • December 6-8: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Yas Marina

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