Saudi Arabia to host opening F1 Grand Prix in 2024 ahead of Ramadan
The 2024 season is set to welcome a new Grand Prix as its opening round. As Ramadan falls during the period when the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held, the Jeddah round would be brought forward to open the season instead, just before Bahrain.
Present on the calendar since 2021, with a 10-year contract, the Jeddah Grand Prix, a night-time and urban race, was the penultimate round of the season during its first edition. In contrast to this year, where it was the second event of 2022, it will also be the case next year.
The contract signed with FOM (Formula One Management) foresees a future relocation of the race, currently located in Jeddah, to the future circuit in the still under-construction city of Qiddiyah.
While waiting for the new circuit, 2024 would see the Arab country host the season opener, taking the place of Bahrain from Melbourne. The Victorian government recently announced through a statement that the Australian Grand Prix had signed a contract extension until 2037, which includes handing over the season opener slot in 2024 to Saudi Arabia.
The dates of Ramadan to be taken into account.
The State of Victoria’s office explains as follows: « The agreement will see Melbourne hosting the first Formula 1 race of the season for at least four years between 2023 and 2037, with Saudi Arabia hosting the first Formula 1 race of the 2024 season out of respect for Ramadan.
This fasting period will be from Sunday 10th March to 9th April 2024, which could lead to the start of the 2024 season in early March. Taking into account the situation in 2024, the first Grand Prix could be on 25th February in Saudi Arabia, followed by Bahrain on 3rd March 2024.
Indeed, according to the 2023 Formula 1 calendar, the Bahrain Grand Prix (March 5, 2023) and the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix (March 19, 2023) are scheduled to take place before the Ramadan period, which will begin on March 22, 2023.
Australia, usual opening Grand Prix, shares its place.
The circuit located in Melbourne has held this position since its first edition in 1996 and did so until 2019, except for two editions during the Covid-19 crisis.
Since 2021, it is the state of Bahrain that is hosting for the 5th time in its history (after 2006 and 2010) and the 3rd consecutive time, the opening Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship.
An attractive opening sleeve
While next season will see a record number of 23 Grand Prix races, obtaining this famous ticket, that of being the first (or the last) to open the season, has never been so attractive.
Indeed, with the growing popularity of Formula 1 and since the acquisition of the rights by…
In 2016, Liberty Media, the media showcase that a Grand Prix represents for a country.
The organizer has never been so important. And it is the highest bidder who gets it.
With these arguments in mind, Gulf countries that have been seeking to develop tourism for several years have understood the contribution that sports can make.
Written by Victor Meganck
