The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is set to open the 2024 Formula 1 season after organisers of the Australian Grand Prix agreed on a two-year extension to their existing 10-year deal signed earlier in June this year.
The Australian Grand Prix was initially committed to the pinnacle of motorsport until 2035 and under the agreement was to host the opening race of the season in 2024 and 2025 along with an extra three years.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit sporting activities, no race was held at Melbourne Park in 2020 and 2021 giving room for Bahrain to that take for 2021 and 2022.
It was revealed on Thursday that Saudi Arabia will open the 2024 season due to the month of Ramadan – a very important period in the Islamic calendar when mandatory Muslim fast occurs from March 10 until April 8.
The religious commitment necessitated the F1 to readjust its calendar to suit the Jeddah Corniche Circuit which is committed to the sport until 2030.
In reaction to that change, Melbourne decided to extend its stay in F1 which will now run until 2037.
“Part of the deal will see Melbourne host the first race of the Formula 1 season for at least four years between 2023 and 2037, with Saudi Arabia to host the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season out of respect for Ramadan,” read a statement from the Victoria State government quoted by Autosport.
The 2023 F1 season begins on March 5 in Bahrain with Australian Grand Prix set for April 2. In between these two races is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 19.
