F1 2024 Season Guide: Calendar, Sprint Races, Teams, and Drivers
As we approach the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, fans can expect an exciting campaign. This calendar, the longest F1 season in history, featuring 24 races in 21 countries, looks ready to excite auto sports enthusiasts. Here are the key things you need to know before the lights go out on the first race in Bahrain.
F1 2024 Calendar – Longest Season Ever?
This year will be the longest F1 season in history, featuring 24 races in 21 countries. Although 24 races were planned in 2023, two of them were canceled. The Chinese Grand Prix makes its anticipated return after Covid-19-related cancellations, with Emilia Romagna returning after its 2023 race was canceled due to heavy rainfall in northern Italy.
Las Vegas, which returned to the calendar last year, continues its race on Saturday. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will also compete on Saturdays to welcome the month of Ramadan. However, pilots who thought 24 races were too many expressed concerns about this, especially Max Verstappen.
F1 2024 Sprint Races – When and What May Change?
As in 2023, six sprint races are planned this year in China, Miami, Austria, the USA, Brazil and Qatar. China and Miami will host sprint races for the first time.
Although Verstappen is not keen on this format, other drivers seem to like these races. “I think six sprint races are good. Going straight into qualifying without a practice session is something I like,” said Charles Leclerc.
Sprint race weekends may vary; The FIA plans to make these races easier to follow. A plan appears to have been agreed to move qualifying to Friday and hold the short race before qualifying on Saturday.
F1 Teams and Drivers Roster – Any Changes?
The squad for the first race after the last race of 2023 will be the same, a first in F1 history. However, Alfa Romeo reverted to its old name Sauber, and Red Bull’s sister team Alpha Tauri was named Visa Cash App RB.
F1 Budget Limitation and Development Times – Any Changes?
The budget cap, which started to be implemented in 2021, limits the amount a team can spend on its vehicle in a year. All 10 teams complied with the budget limit in 2022, but Red Bull had made a small overrun in 2021 and received a $7 million penalty as a result.
The budget cap was $135m (£106m) in 2023 and remains the same for 2024 and 2025. In the long term, the FIA has imposed a ban on 2026 car development.
F1 Driver Contracts – Will We See a Change?
The contracts of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz expire at the end of the season, meaning an uncertain future for Ferrari.
