Racing fans around the world are excited for the return of exciting races and dramatic moments as the 2024 Formula 1 season gets set to begin for its longest running season. With a record-breaking 24 races spread over 21 countries, the 2018 season is sure to be an impressive sight. This is all the information you require prior to the first race in Bahrain’s lights going out.
The Formula 1 Calendar for 2024
With 24 races scheduled across 21 countries, the 2024 season will be the longest Formula One calendar in history. Among the noteworthy additions are the return of the Chinese Grand Prix, which was postponed due to Covid-19, and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which is returning after flooding forced the postponement of the race in 2023.
Furthermore, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will stage Saturday races during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while Las Vegas will continue to hold its Saturday racing slot. Even with this growth, several drivers—including the winner, Max Verstappen—are worried about the physical and mental costs of competing in 24 races.
The current champion, Max Verstappen, believes that 24 races is “a bit much,” and British driver Lando Norris agrees, calling the same amount “quite a handful.” “If I had to choose the ideal number, it would probably be closer to 20,” Norris continued.
Sprint Racing: A Quick Bite of Excitation
Settle in for an exciting season of six sprint races, including action-packed events in China, Miami, Austria, the US, Brazil, and Qatar. These exciting races will be hosted for the first time in China and Miami.
Charles Leclerc stated, “I think it’s good to have six sprint races. I like to have one free practice and proceed directly to qualifying.”
The FIA is considering moving the sprint race’s qualifying to Friday in an effort to increase audience appeal.
F1 Driver Contracts and Possible Changes
Most drivers have just one year left on their contracts when they start this season.
Drivers whose contracts are up for renewal at the end of the season, like as Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Sergio Perez, should be closely monitored.
Charles Leclerc has committed to stay with Ferrari, following in the footsteps of Verstappen, Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes, and Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren, all of whom have contracts that go beyond the current campaign.
What do double-headers and triple-headers mean?
Formula 1 is doing its best to schedule Grands Prix on successive weekends in order to manage the huge volume of events this season. A double-header occurs when two races are held on consecutive weekends; a triple-header occurs when three races are held.
Additional Changes Taken
There are interesting innovations coming for the 2024 season to improve the sport. A clever scoop will be added to the cockpit of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix to help drivers stay cool after they encountered intense heat.
The FIA pauses development of cars for 2026 and puts plans for a nationwide tyre ban on hold for the time being.
“The commission agreed that no work may be carried out on the development of an automobile for the 2026 season before the start of 2025,” according to a statement.
Formula 1 race schedule for 2024:
February 21-23: Pre-season testing – Sakhir
February 29 – March 2: Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir
March 7-9: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah
March 22-24: Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne
April 5-7: Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka
April 19-21: Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai
May 3-5: Miami Grand Prix – Miami
May 17-19: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Imola
May 24-26: Monaco Grand Prix – Monaco
June 7-9: Canadian Grand Prix – Montreal
June 21-23: Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona
June 28-30: Austrian Grand Prix – Spielberg
July 5-7: British Grand Prix – Silverstone
July 19-21: Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest
July 26-28: Belgian Grand Prix – Spa
August 23-25: Dutch Grand Prix – Zandvoort
August 30 – September 1: Italian Grand Prix – Monza
September 13-15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku
September 20-22: Singapore Grand Prix – Singapore
October 18-20: United States Grand Prix – Austin
October 25-27: Mexican Grand Prix – Mexico City
November 1-3: Brazilian Grand Prix – Sao Paulo
November 21-23: Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas
November 29 – December 1: Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail
December 6-8: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina
Broadcasting and Streaming Channels for Formula 1:
In 2024, Formula 1 will be widely covered worldwide, guaranteeing that fans on all continents will be able to experience the thrill of every race. International broadcast alliances connect different nations, and fans watch the action on specialised channels. SuperSport has extensive coverage throughout Africa, and Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, and Network Ten are the outlets for Australian fans. Belgium provides coverage through RTBF and Telenet Play Sports, whereas Austria and other European nations rely on ORF and Servus TV.
China’s sizable population can watch the races in Asia on Tencent platforms, CCTV, Shanghai TV, and Guangdong Television Channel. Japan broadcasts coverage via Fuji TV and DAZN, while India gives access through F1 TV Pro and FanCode. Formula 1 is shown in the Middle East on beIN SPORTS, with races being televised on Israel’s Sport 5 and Turkey’s S Sport.
The passionate F1 fan population is served by a number of networks like ESPN, RDS, and FlowSports throughout the Americas, from Canada to Latin America. ESPN and ESPN Deportes continue to be important broadcasters in the US. Brazil and other South American nations broadcast Formula 1 mostly on Bandeirantes and Bandsports.
TVWAN Sports is used in Papua New Guinea and Sky NZ in Oceania, which includes New Zealand. In the meanwhile, Sky Sports and Channel 4 are the top networks for fans of Formula 1 in the UK and around Europe. All things considered, Formula 1’s vast broadcast network makes sure that fans can follow the exciting world of motorsport from wherever in the world during the 2024 season.
The Full details of countries and their respective broadcasting channels for Formula 1 in 2024 are:
AFRICA: SuperSport
ARMENIA: FastSports
AUSTRALIA: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten
AUSTRIA: Servus TV, ORF
BELGIUM: RTBF, Telenet Play Sports
BOSNIA: Sport Klub
BRAZIL: Bandeirantes, Bandsports
BULGARIA: Nova, Diema Sport
CAMBODIA: beIN SPORTS
CANADA: RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
CARIBBEAN: FlowSports
CHINA: CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
CHINESE TAIPEI: Videoland, ELTA
CROATIA: Sport Klub
CYPRUS: Cytavision
CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA: AMC
DENMARK: TV3+, TV3 Sport, Viaplay
ESTONIA: Viaplay
EURASIA: Setanta Sports
FINLAND: Viaplay
FRANCE: Canal+
GERMANY: Sky Deutschland
GREECE: ANT1, ANT1+
HONG KONG: beIN SPORTS
HUNGARY: M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
ICELAND: Viaplay
INDIA: F1 TV Pro, FanCode
INDONESIA: beIN SPORTS
IN-SHIP & IN-FLIGHT: Sport 24, Sport 24 Extra
ISRAEL: Sport 5
ITALY: Sky Italia
JAPAN: Fuji TV, DAZN
KOSOVO: Sport Klub, Artmotion Kosovo
LAOS: beIN SPORTS
LATIN AMERICA: ESPN
LATVIA: Viaplay
LITHUANIA: Viaplay
LUXEMBOURG: RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg
MACEDONIA: Sport Klub
MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI: beIN SPORTS
MALTA: Go Sports
MEXICO: Fox Sports Mexico
MONTENEGRO: SportKlub
MYANMAR: Canal+ Sports, Canal+ ACTION
NETHERLANDS: Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
NEW ZEALAND: Sky NZ
NORWAY: V sport 1, V sport +, Viaplay
PAPUA NEW GUINEA & PACIFIC ISLANDS: TVWAN Sports
PHILIPPINES: beIN SPORTS
POLAND: Viaplay
PORTUGAL: Sport TV
SERBIA: SportKlub
SINGAPORE: beIN SPORTS
SLOVENIA: SportKlub
SOUTH KOREA: Coupang Play
SPAIN AND ANDORRA: F1 DAZN
SWEDEN: Viaplay, V sport motor, TV10
SWITZERLAND: SRF, RS1, RTS
THAILAND: beIN SPORTS
UKRAINE: Setanta Ukraine
UNITED KINGDOM: Sky Sports, Channel 4
USA: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
VIETNAM: K+
Teams and driver line-ups for the F1 2024 Championship:
Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Alpine: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly
Williams: Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon
RB: Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo
Sauber (Stake F1): Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu
Haas: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg
The driver line-up for the 2024 season reflects stability in many teams, with only a few changes and rebranding efforts. Notably, the rebranding of AlphaTauri to RB and Alpha Romeo to Sauber (Stake F1) are significant changes in the F1 landscape. All teams are set to compete fiercely in the upcoming season, and fans eagerly anticipate the battles that will unfold on the track.