EXPLAINER: Here’s why the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is on a Saturday

The second Formula One race of the 2024 season will be held on Saturday, 9 March in Saudi Arabia.

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The fact the main race will take part on the Saturday and not the usual Sunday is due to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan which starts on Sunday, 10 March this year.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was scheduled for that day, but has been moved forward by 24 hours as a result.

FIA rules dictate that there must be a full seven days between grands prix, meaning the opening round in Bahrain (which was held on Saturday this weekend) also took on that revised schedule.

Meanwhile, as was the case when it returned to the Formula One calendar last year, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for 23 November, will also be held on a Saturday.

The main reason for the Vegas race taking place on a Saturday is to enable relatively convenient viewing times for a global audience.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit will be the second of a record 24 races in the 2024 season.

The lights are due to go out at 19:00 (SA time).

As a reminder, last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix was won by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez with team-mate Max Verstappen in second and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in third.

SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX TIMES

All times SA

Thursday, 7 March

Practice 1: 15:30 – 16:30

Practice 2: 19:00 – 20:00

Friday, 8 March

Practice 3: 15:30 – 16:30

Qualifying: 19:00 – 20:00

Saturday, 9 March

Main race: 19:00