50 Facts About F1 Schedule (2024)

Record-Breaking 2024 F1 Season

The 2024 Formula One season is set to be the longest and most thrilling yet. With a record 24 races, fans and teams alike are in for an action-packed year. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this historic season.

1. Record 24 Races: The 2024 F1 season will feature a record 24 races, surpassing the previous record of 23 races in 2023.
2. Calendar Regionalization: The FIA has regionalized the calendar to group events together based on their geographical locations, aiming to reduce travel and logistical burdens on teams.

Early Season Highlights

The season kicks off with a bang, featuring races in the Middle East and Australia. These early races set the tone for the rest of the year.

3. Season Start: The 2024 F1 season began on February 29 with the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking the start of a long and demanding season.
4. Bahrain Grand Prix: The Bahrain Grand Prix took place on February 29-March 2, setting the stage for the rest of the season.
5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix followed on March 7-9, continuing the early-season momentum.
6. Australian Grand Prix: The Australian Grand Prix took place on March 22-24, marking the first race in the Southern Hemisphere.

Asian Leg of the Season

The Asian leg of the season features some exciting returns and changes, including the much-anticipated comeback of the Chinese Grand Prix.

7. Japanese Grand Prix: The Japanese Grand Prix moved to April 5-7, creating a defined Asian leg of the season.
8. Chinese Grand Prix: The Chinese Grand Prix returned to the calendar after a three-year absence, taking place on April 19-21.

North American Excitement

The North American races bring a unique flair to the F1 calendar, with Miami and Montreal hosting thrilling events.

9. Miami Grand Prix: The Miami Grand Prix was held on May 3-5, bringing the F1 circus to the United States for the first time in the season.
10. Canadian Grand Prix: The Canadian Grand Prix followed on June 7-9, with Montreal hosting the event.

Iconic European Races

Europe hosts some of the most iconic and historic races on the F1 calendar. These events are fan favorites and often pivotal in the championship battle.

11. Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix took place on May 17-19, marking the first European round of the season.
12. Monaco Grand Prix: The Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious events on the calendar, was held on May 24-26.
13. Spanish Grand Prix: The Spanish Grand Prix took place on June 21-23, with Barcelona hosting the event.
14. Austrian Grand Prix: The Austrian Grand Prix was held on June 28-30, adding to the intense flow of European races.
15. British Grand Prix: The British Grand Prix, one of the most popular events on the calendar, took place on July 5-7 at Silverstone.
16. Hungarian Grand Prix: The Hungarian Grand Prix followed on July 19-21, with Budapest hosting the event.
17. Belgian Grand Prix: The Belgian Grand Prix took place on July 26-28, with Spa hosting the event.
18. Dutch Grand Prix: The Dutch Grand Prix was held on August 23-25, with Zandvoort hosting the event.
19. Italian Grand Prix: The Italian Grand Prix, one of the most iconic events on the calendar, took place on August 30-September 1 at Monza.

Late-Season Thrills

As the season winds down, the races become even more critical. The final leg includes some new and returning venues that promise high drama.

20. Azerbaijan Grand Prix: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the next event on the calendar, will take place on September 13-15.
21. Singapore Grand Prix: The Singapore Grand Prix follows on September 20-22, retaining its late September spot on the calendar.
22. United States Grand Prix: The United States Grand Prix will be held on October 18-20 in Austin, Texas.
23. Mexican Grand Prix: The Mexican Grand Prix follows on October 25-27 in Mexico City.
24. Brazilian Grand Prix: The Brazilian Grand Prix will be held on November 1-3 in São Paulo.
25. Las Vegas Grand Prix: The Las Vegas Grand Prix, a new addition to the calendar, will take place on November 21-23.
26. Qatar Grand Prix: The Qatar Grand Prix will be the penultimate race of the season, held on November 29-December 1 in Lusail.
27. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will take place on December 6-8 at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Pre-season and Team Changes

Before the racing even begins, teams and drivers prepare with testing and some notable changes.

28. Pre-season Testing: The 2024 F1 season began with a three-day pre-season testing session in Bahrain from February 21-23.
29. Driver Line-up: The driver line-up for the 2024 season remains largely unchanged from 2023, with many contracts set to expire at the end of the year.
30. Alfa Romeo Name Change: Alfa Romeo is set to change its name to Sauber in 2024, before transforming into the Audi works team in 2026.
31. AlphaTauri Name Change: AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s junior team, is expected to return to a non-branded name like its previous Toro Rosso guise, possibly called Racing Bulls.
32. No Rookie Drivers: For the first time since 1950, there are no new rookie drivers in the 2024 F1 grid, with all teams sticking with their 2023 line-ups.

Championship Contenders

With multiple world champions on the grid, the battle for the title will be fierce.

33. World Champions: Three world champions will be on the grid: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), and Max Verstappen (Red Bull).

New Rules and Formats

The 2024 season also brings some changes to rules and formats, aiming to make the sport more exciting and fair.

34. FIA Stewards Appeals: Teams can now appeal FIA stewards' decisions within four days, down from 14 days, to ensure quicker resolution of disputes.
35. F1 Sprints: The 2024 season includes six F1 Sprint events, with new locations like Miami and the Chinese Grand Prix hosting their first-ever Sprints.
36. Sprint Format Changes: The Sprint Shootout will now take place on Friday after Free Practice, with the Sprint itself on Saturday. Qualifying for the Grand Prix will follow on Saturday.
37. Sprint Points System: The top eight finishers in the Sprint will receive points: the winner gets eight points, and the driver in eighth gains one point.
38. Power Unit Rules: Teams are allowed to use four internal combustion engines (ICE), motor generator units – heat (MGU-H), motor generator units – kinetic (MGU-K), and turbochargers (TC) before picking up a grid penalty.

Strategic Considerations

The longest season in F1 history brings unique challenges and strategic considerations for teams and drivers.

39. Longest Season Schedule: The 2024 F1 season is the longest in history, with 24 races stretching from February to December.
40. Regionalized Calendar: The calendar has been regionalized to reduce travel and logistical burdens on teams, with events grouped by geographical location.
41. Japanese Grand Prix Move: The Japanese Grand Prix moved to April, creating a defined Asian leg of the season.
42. Chinese Grand Prix Return: The Chinese Grand Prix returned to the calendar after a three-year absence, adding to the Asian leg.
43. Qatar Grand Prix Placement: The Qatar Grand Prix became the penultimate race of the season, helping with heat issues faced by drivers in 2023 and simplifying transportation to Abu Dhabi.

Italian Grand Prix Specifics

Monza, one of the most iconic tracks, has undergone some changes that could impact the race.

44. Italian Grand Prix Details: The Italian Grand Prix at Monza features first and second practice on Friday, August 30, followed by final practice and qualifying on Saturday, August 31, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, September 1.
45. Monza Track Renovations: The Monza circuit has undergone renovations, including resurfacing the entire track and changing underpasses to improve safety and track conditions.
46. Track Temperature Impact: The new asphalt at Monza is smoother and darker, which could lead to higher track temperatures, affecting tyre performance and grip.
47. Tyre Performance: The new surface at Monza is expected to offer more grip, impacting tyre performance and their operating temperature range.
48. Aerodynamic Configuration: Cars at Monza typically run in the lowest aerodynamic configuration to reduce drag and favor top speed.
49. Tyre Challenges: The Italian Grand Prix poses significant challenges for tyres, particularly under braking and traction coming out of chicanes, as well as lateral loads in fast corners like the Parabolica.
50. Pit Stop Time Loss: The time needed for a pit stop at Monza is one of the longest of the year, with a loss of 23.71 seconds per stop, affecting strategic decisions during the race.

The 2024 F1 Season: A Record-Breaking Year

The 2024 F1 season is set to be a thrilling ride with 24 races, the most ever. The regionalized calendar aims to ease travel for teams, making the season more sustainable. Kicking off in Bahrain on February 29 and wrapping up in Abu Dhabi on December 8, the schedule spans nearly the entire year. Highlights include the return of the Chinese Grand Prix, the debut of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and six F1 Sprint events. Notably, there are no rookie drivers this year, a first since 1950. Teams can now appeal FIA stewards' decisions within four days, speeding up dispute resolutions. With three world champions on the grid and several iconic tracks, the 2024 season promises intense competition and unforgettable moments. Buckle up for a historic year in Formula One!