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Why are some F1 races held on Saturday?
Tereza Hořínková
News.gp journalist and a girl with big dreams
Formula 1 races are typically held on Sundays, but adjustments are occasionally made due to special circumstances, causing races to be rescheduled to Saturdays instead.
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Formula 1 races are typically held on Sundays, following a long-standing tradition in the sport. However, there are occasions when external factors, such as religious observances, logistical challenges, or the need to accommodate different time zones, cause the schedule to be adjusted.
In such cases, the weekend may be pushed one day ahead, with races taking place on Saturdays instead. These changes are made to ensure that both the teams and global fanbase can fully enjoy the event while respecting various circumstances.
In 2024, three Formula 1 races were held on Saturdays: the Bahrain Grand Prix, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The change for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia was due to the timing of the holy month of Ramadan, which began at sunset on Saturday, March 9, 2024. To allow enough time for the teams to travel between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the Bahrain race was moved to Saturday, March 2, 2024. This shift was necessary because if Bahrain had taken place on Sunday, the teams would have had one less day to travel between the venues, which are about 15 hours apart by road.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was scheduled for a Saturday night to accommodate both American and European audiences. With a 10:00 PM start time in Las Vegas, it was ideal for American viewers. European fans could watch the race early in the morning, around 6:00 or 7:00 AM, making it suitable for both time zones.
In 2025, both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will return to their traditional Sunday race format, meaning that the number of races held on Saturday will drop from three to only one.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will now be rescheduled to an April weekend, following Bahrain. This change ensures that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix will follow the typical Sunday race tradition once again.
On the other hand, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will continue to be held on a Saturday, following the same schedule as in 2024. The race will take place in the evening, designed to cater to both American and European audiences.
