With the Bahrain GP now in the rearview mirror, all eyes are on the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Formula 1 gears up for its second race of the season. Set against the stunning backdrop of Jeddah’s Corniche and the Red Sea, this street circuit is unlike any other on the calendar. Designed by Hermann Tilke’s team in collaboration with F1, the track boasts a whopping 27 corners - making it the third-longest track in F1 history and the longest street circuit until the recent addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

After a tumultuous off-season marked by Lewis Hamilton's departure from Mercedes and ongoing controversies involving Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, the focus is back on the racing action. Max Verstappen's dominant victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix signals that Red Bull remains a force to be reckoned with, with the Dutch driver gunning for a fourth consecutive drivers' championship.

Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz snagging third place in Bahrain, appears to be Red Bull's closest competition as Hamilton prepares to join the team in 2025. As pre-season testing and the season-opener demonstrated, the battle for supremacy in F1 is heating up, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promising more thrills and excitement on the challenging Jeddah street circuit.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Schedule

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a time of reflection and fasting for many around the world, coincided this year with the scheduled second race of the Formula 1 season in Saudi Arabia. In a move to respect this important religious observance, organizers made the decision to shift the race in Jeddah forward by one day, to Saturday, March 9th. According to FIA regulations, there must be a minimum of seven days between races, leading to the unusual Saturday slot for the Bahrain Grand Prix as well. 

The three-day event in Jeddah will run from Thursday, March 7th, through Saturday, March 9th, marking the second race on the Formula 1 calendar following the season opener in Bahrain.

What's Next?

Following the Jeddah race, Formula 1 will journey to Melbourne, Australia for the next race on the schedule on Friday, March 22nd. As fans eagerly anticipate the action-packed events to come, the organizers continue to navigate the intricacies of the global calendar, balancing sporting competition with cultural sensitivities.