Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
F1 has just announced the 2024 FIA Formula One Wold Championship’s calendar. It features 24 races, starting on the weekend of February 29-March 2 in Bahrain. The season will close in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
Some changes were made in order to reduce logistical burdens and in the aim of more sustainability. By moving Japan to April, Azerbaijan to September and Qatar back-to-back with Abu Dhabi, the calendar heads more towards regionalisation, for the purpose of creating a more suitable flow of races in certain regions.
Formula 1 has also decided, in order to accommodate Ramadan, the Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will take place on a Saturday. The Las Vegas GP will also start on Saturday evening local time.
Once again China is on the provisional calendar. Should the race go ahead in 2024, it’ll be the first time a race is held in the Asian country since the 1000thGP back in 2019.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, stated:
“I am delighted to announce the 2024 calendar with 24 races that will deliver an exciting season for our fans around the world. There is huge interest and continued demand for Formula 1, and I believe this calendar strikes the right balance between traditional races and new and existing venues. I want to thank all of the promoters and partners for their support and effort to achieve this great schedule.
“Our journey to a more sustainable calendar will continue in the coming years as we further streamline operations as part of our Net Zero 2030 commitment. We have plenty of racing to look forward to in 2023, including the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, and our fans can look forward to more excitement next season.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, added:
“The planned 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar, that has been approved by the Motor Sport Council Members, demonstrates some important steps towards our shared goals. We want to make the global spectacle of Formula 1 more efficient in terms of environmental sustainability and more manageable for the travelling staff who dedicate so much of their time to our sport.
“Stefano Domenicali and his team have done a great job to both bring in new and exciting venues in emerging markets for Formula 1, and stay true to the sport’s long and remarkable heritage.
“Each race can only happen thanks to the collaboration between the FIA, FOM, the promoters, and the host ASNs who bring together the thousands of volunteer marshals and support personnel so that we can go racing, and as we forge ahead into the future we must ensure that our priorities grow and develop with the needs of society and what is best for our sport, our fans and our environment.”
