FIA confirms start times of 2024 races

Formula One's governing body, the FIA have revealed the start times for the F1 2024 season, confirming that three races will take place on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday.

The calendar of the 2024 F1 season features 24 races and begins in Bahrain on March 2 and finishes in Abu Dhabi on December 8.

The 2024 F1 season is set the kick off in Manama with the Sakhir round having received an unusually early spot. Following the season-opening race, the sport will head to Saudi Arabia with both the Sakhir and the Jeddah races set to take place on a Saturday. This decision has been taken to accommodate Ramadan which begins on the Sunday of the original Saudi Arabian race weekend.

The Chinese Grand Prix will be held for the first time since 2019 on April 21 for round five of the season.

Formula 1 has been eager to move towards greater calendar regionalisation, reducing logistical burdens and making the season more sustainable. By moving Japan to April, Azerbaijan to September and Qatar back-to-back with Abu Dhabi this calendar creates a better flow of races in certain regions.

After pre-season testing between February 21-23, the campaign gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2.