2024 Bahrain Grand Prix preview: timings, how to watch, and more
After what feels like the shortest winter break of all time, we’re just about ready to embark on the longest ever Formula 1 world championship season. The first round of the 24-race calendar in 2024 gets underway this weekend, after three days of pre-season testing yielded clues but no definitive answers.
Bahrain once again hosts the opening F1 race of the year, but not all is as we’re used to. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday?
The Holy month of Ramadan begins on Sunday 10th March, and in order to accommodate that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was moved to Saturday 9th. As per the regulations, no two F1 races can be held within seven days of each other, so the preceding Bahrain Grand Prix has also been moved a day earlier.
When can I watch the Bahrain Grand Prix?
The 2024 F1 season officially gets underway on Thursday 29th February at 11:30 UK time (14:30 local) with Free Practice 1, FP2 follows later at 15:00 UK (18:00 local).
Friday sees FP3 get underway at 12:30 in the UK (15:30 local) before the first qualifying session of the year kicks off at 16:00 UK time (19:00 local).
Lights out for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix is at 15:00 UK time (18:00), with racing set to take place under the circuit’s lights.
How to watch the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix
Sky Sports retains exclusive rights to all live coverage of F1 in the UK. Every session of the Bahrain Grand Prix will be shown live and uninterrupted on Sky Sports F1.
Which support series are racing in Bahrain?
The Bahrain Grand Prix will feature support action from both Formula 2 and Formula 3 alongside the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East.
F2 and F3 will both complete their Free Practice and Qualifying sessions on Thursday before the F3 sprint race gets underway at 10:15 UK time (13:15 local) on Friday morning. The F2 sprint race follows at 14:15 UK time (17:15 local).
Both feature races will run before the grand prix on Saturday. F3 kicks off at 09:00 UK time (12:00 local) with lights out for F2 at 10:30 UK time (13:30 local).
F1 Academy will make its first appearance in the F1 paddock at next weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.
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