F1 2024 season to begin with back-to-back Saturday night races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The 2024 F1 season will begin with successive Saturday night races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The shift forward by 24 hours has happened due to the Muslim holy period of Ramadan beginning on Sunday March 10 – the day after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Due to the season opening with back-to-back races, the curtain-raiser in Bahrain was also required to take place on a Saturday to help with freight logistics in between events.

A record 24-race calendar has been unveiled with the Chinese GP returning for the first time since 2019.

The 2024 British Grand Prix will take place on July 7 at Silverstone and marks the end of a triple header with the Spanish and Austrian races taking place in the two weeks before.

The first half of the season will round off in Belgium, before races resume with the Dutch GP at the end of August following a summer break.

The season will conclude with two triple headers.

The US Grand Prix will take place on October 20 in Austin, before the Mexican and Brazilian races follow.

After a three-week break, another Saturday night race is scheduled in Las Vegas, before Qatar hosts the penultimate Grand Prix of the season.

Abu Dhabi will once again stage the final race weekend of the season on December 8.

Pre-season testing is expected to take place in Bahrain over three days from February 21-23.