Saudi to Host Formula 1 Season Opener in 2024

Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Corniche Circuit was announced the prize role of hosting the season opener in 2024 according to Australian Grand Prix corporation.

The announcement from the Australian Grand Prix corporation stated: "Part of the deal will see Melbourne host the first race of the F1 season for at least four years between 2023 and 2037, with Saudi Arabia to host to the first race of the 2024 F1 season out of respect for Ramadan.”

Organisers of the Saudi Arabia GP had asked to move the race even earlier in the year for 2024 to avoid a clash with Ramadan religious observance, which in Saudi Arabia begins on Sunday 10 March and lasts until 8 April (depending on moon sighting).

The Bahrain GP will be held on March 5 followed by Saudi Arabia on March 19 in 2023.

Bahrain will also once again be the venue for pre-season testing in February, after F1 moved away from its long-standing arrangement to hold the sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Saudi Arabia signed a ten year contract in 2021 to host an F1 race, with plans for a change of venue from Jeddah's temporary street circuit to a permanent custom facility currently under construction in Qiddiyah in due course.