Saudi Arabian Grand Prix schedule | What time are the F1 sessions?

Max Verstappen won the 2023 World Championship without much competition, but the Dutchman didn't win the race in Jeddah last year. Instead, his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez took the most points from this Grand Prix. In fact, it is one of Perez's best circuits in F1. The Mexican secured pole position at the venue in 2022 and 2023. 

Why is there a Saturday Grand Prix?

The reason is Ramadan. The annual fasting period for Muslims in 2024 starts on Sunday, March 10, as soon as the sun sets. Therefore, the organisers of motorsport's top class wanted to ensure that Saudi Arabia's Grand Prix weekend ends as early as Saturday. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country. The weekend in Jeddah ends on Saturday, so the first two free practice sessions will occur on Thursday. This also directly impacts the opening weekend in Bahrain, scheduled a week earlier than Saudi Arabia.

Teams always arrive at the circuit on Wednesday at the earliest, on a normal race weekend. But because the free practice sessions in Jeddah are already on Thursday, all teams will need/want to be there on Tuesday. That is logistically unfeasible if there is still racing in Bahrain on Sunday. So, the race there will also be on Saturday, allowing more time to move the whole circus to Saudi Arabia.

When will the drivers be in action?

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend will use the traditional format, aside from the shift in days. Two practice sessions will be held on Thursday, with a third on Friday. Qualifying will occur on Friday, with the Grand Prix completed on Saturday. As always in Jeddah, the event is held at night under floodlights.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix schedule (Times in BST)

Thursday, March 07

Free practice 1 - 13:30 - 14:30

Free practice 2 - 17:00 - 18:00

Friday, March 08

Free practice 3 - 13:30 - 14:30

Qualifying - 17:00 - 18:00

Saturday, March 09

The Bahrain Grand Prix - 17:00