The new Formula 1 season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix race, and the race will take place today (Saturday) instead of Sunday, the usual race day.

The race weekend typically spans three days, with free practice scheduled for Friday, qualifications planned for Saturday before the main race on Sunday.

However, this year, the drivers began their practice sessions on Thursday, and the official start of the season and the race for the Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for Saturday, due to the Muslim month of Ramadan.

Bahrain has been hosting the Formula 1 race since 2021, and previous races were held on Sundays, while the current race will take place today.

The holy Muslim festival of Ramadan begins on March 10th, hence the race for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah will be held on March 9th instead of March 10th. This also influenced the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix because, according to FIA Rules, drivers must have at least seven days between races.

These two races are not the only races this season that will be held on a Saturday, as the Las Vegas Grand Prix will also take place on a Saturday.

“We found a solution so that European fans could watch the race with a cup of coffee at 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning, just as Americans do during races in Europe,” said race organizer Renee Ëilm.

Remember that in yesterday’s qualifications for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was the fastest, while Charles Leclerc and George Russell found places behind the current world champion.