The green light for go go go is nearly upon us, and with Formula 1 just around the corner, we are delving into the calendar for the mammoth 2024.
Let’s rev the engines up and examine the runners and riders on wheels and looking into each venue per month. .
March – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia Grand Prix
Bahrain Grand Prix (Feb 29 – Mar 2)
Location: Bahrain International Circuit
About Circuit: The track covers 6.299 kilometres and consists of 15 turns, including high-speed straights and sharp corners. Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix (the opening event of the F1 circuit) and the championship in 2023. Previously, the last time a driver won the Bahrain GP and won the championship, you would have to go back to Nico Rosberg back in 2016. That’s why in recent years, it’s been known as the curse of Bahrain.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Mar 7-9)
Location:Jeddah Corniche Circuit
About Circuit: With an average speed set to clock in around the 250 kmh mark, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit overlooks the Red Sea and, at 6.175 kilometres, is the longest street track in use in Formula 1.
Australian Grand Prix (Mar 22-24)
Location: Albert Park Circuit
About Circuit: Unlike most race tracks on the Formula One calendar, this track is only used for one race per year and remains a public road throughout the rest of the year.
It is known for its scenic views of Albert Park Lake and skyline of Melbourne’s central business district.
Qualifying on pole position is not always a positive. Between 2014 and 2019, the Briton took pole at the Australian Grand Prix in every season, but converted only one of those pole positions (2015) into race victory.
April – Japan, China Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix (Apr 5-7)
Location: Suzuka Circuit
About Circuit: Home of the Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, the Suzuka Circuit has become one of the most iconic on the Formula One calendar.
Aesthetically, it ticks all the boxes thanks to a phenomenal figure-eight design, with a bridge connecting the two halves of the circuit. It is often referred to as a driver’s dream, thanks to high-speed twists, technical corners, and rapid, speedy straights.
Chinese Grand Prix (Apr 19-21)
Location: Shanghai International Circuit
About Circuit: Incorporating elements of traditional Chinese culture, such as the shape of the track resembling the Chinese character “上” which means “up”, the Shanghai International Circuit is one of the most expensive to have ever been compiled at $450 million in 2003. .
Each circuit completion measures 5.451 km, while the entire race length is just over 305 km. There are a total of 56 laps.
May – Miami, Emilia Romagna, Monaco Grand Prix
Miami Grand Prix (May 3-5)
Location: Miami International Autodrome
About Circuit: After debuting in the F1 2022 season, the Miami GP was a hit straight off the bat for racegoers because, well, it’s Miami!
There are no fewer than 36 different layouts to the track, and boasts a staggering top speed of up to 320 kmh for drivers during some points of the race.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (May 17-19)
Location: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari
About Circuit: An anti-clockwise circuit built in the foothills of Imola, an Italian region, this track holds a special place in the hearts of drivers and viewers alike.
Boasting a unique combination of high-speed straights and technical turns, including the famous Variante Alta chicane, which is known for its tricky downhill braking zone that demands precision and skill from the drivers.
Monaco Grand Prix (May 24-25)
Location: Circuit de Monaco
About Circuit: Set on the historic streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, the Monaco Grand Prix is the epitome of F1 racing for the sport’s romantics.
Marrying together luxury, speed, and excitement, the Monaco Grand Prix has been popular among petrol heads since its creation in 1929 and attracts hundreds of celebrities, VIPs, and high-profile guests every year.
The track has witnessed some of the most thrilling and iconic moments in Formula One, with legendary drivers Graham Hill and Ayrton Senna enjoying particular notoriety at the track – so much so that both are referred to as Mr Monaco by some onlookers.
June – Canada, Spain, Austria Grand Prix
Canadian Grand Prix (Jun 7-9)
Location: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
About Circuit: Rich with high-speed straights, sharp hairpin turns and challenging chicanes, the Canadian Grand Prix is named after Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically lost his life while qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
The track has undergone several renovations over the years, but it still retains its classic layout and is loved by drivers for its fast-paced nature. The highlight of the circuit is the infamous “Wall of Champions” at the final chicane, where many seasoned drivers have met their match and crashed into its unforgiving barriers, including the likes of Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve.
Spanish Grand Prix (June 21-23)
Location: Circuit du Catalunya in Montmelo
About Circuit: A regular on the circuit since 1991, the track garnered international fame on its debut in Formula One, with two of the sport’s greats – Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna – going head to head down the home straight in what was essentially a drag race. The former came out on top that day, but after such a dramatic conclusion, the course was always going to become an instant hit.
A notable feature of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is its high tire wear rate. Due to the abrasive surface, drivers must carefully manage their tires throughout the race, adding an extra layer of strategy.
Austrian Grand Prix (Jun 28-30)
Location: Red Bull Ring
About Circuit: Boasting a picture-perfect setting nestled in the mountains, the Red Bull Ring offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, but while there is beauty on the canvas, it can often be carnage among the cars racing here. Drivers often get caught out by the long uphill section, where a tight two hairpin turpin has seen some nasty crashes in the past.
A regular on the calendar, viewers can always expect drama here.
July – United Kingdom, Hungary, Belgium Grand Prix
British Grand Prix (July 5-7)
Location: Silverstone
About Circuit: It is one of the oldest tracks on the Formula One calendar, having first hosted the British Grand Prix in 1948.
Renowned for its high-speed layout and challenging corners, including the curves of Maggotts and Becketts and the iconic Hangar Straight, it has set the scene for many memorable triumphs down the years, including Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever Grand Prix win in 2008.
Sivlerstone is a true sporting stalwart of the genre.
Hungarian Grand Prix (July 19-21)
Location: The Hungaroring
About Circuit: The Hungaroring is a 4.38-kilometer circuit with 14 turns that wind their way through the rolling hills of Mogyoród, a small traditional village in Pest County, Hungary.
The track allows for few takeover opportunities due to its tight and twisty layout, which is why it’s eagerly anticipated among F1 fans with a penchant for the tactical side of the sport.
Belgian Grand Prix (July 26-28)
Location: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
About Circuit: Located in the picturesque Ardennes region of Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a legendary race track that is popular among drivers for its long straights and fast corners, allowing them to push their vehicle to the limit.
While many other tracks have been sanitised down the years, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has remained largely untouched. It makes for a memorable throwback to old-school racing whenever the Formula One rocks into town .
August – Netherlands, Italy Grand Prix
Dutch Grand Prix(August 23-25)
Location: Circuit Zandvoort
About Circuit: For more than 75 years, the Circuit Zandvoort has been a vibrant racetrack, and is considered by plenty of racetrack aficionados as an old-school arena due to its short track length and death-defying curves.
However, it endured a 36-year hiatus between 1985 and 2021 – but was back with a bang three years ago, with Hamilton setting a new circuit record of 1:11.097 while driving for Mercedes.
Watch out for Hugenholtz corner – the third on the circuit. Drivers must negotiate a 19-degree bank turn and it can cause lots of action and incidents among drivers.
Italian Grand Prix (August 30 – September 1)
Location: Racetrack Monza
About Circuit: Arguably the most iconic circuit in Formula One history, the high-speed Racetrack Monza has been a permanent fixture on the calendar, and has hosted the Grand Prix more times than any other track (93).
The current layout is fast and flowing, encompassing a 5.793-kilometer track with long straights and tight chicanes. The track has 11 turns, including two famous high-speed corners – Curva Grande and Parabolica. The latter is regarded as one of the most challenging in the sport, due to the low-downforce exerting on the cars.
September – Azerbaijan, Singapore Grand Prix
Azerbaijan Grand Prix (September 13-15)
Location: Baku City Circuit
About Circuit: Drivers dash through the ancient streets of Baku in what is an enthralling race through and against time.
It held its first race in 2016, and a year later, was the scene of a memorable upset. While Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were engaging in a heated tussle behind a safety car, Daniel Ricciardo stole in for Valtteri Bottas to claim a shocking victory.
Will we see similar upsets this year? The street course do throw up some intriguing storylines.
Singapore Grand Prix (September 20-22)
Location: Marina Bay Street Circuit
About Circuit: It doesn’t get more visually stunning than the Singapore Grand Prix!
Held at night, the region’s electric atmosphere vibrates and pulsates under the Singaporean night skies and luminous lights.
A relative newcomer to the circuit, the first Singapore Grand Prix was held in 2008, but it gets right in the face of the driver, who must wrestle with 23 corners and a lot of wheel turning throughout what is a high-speed rumble in the concrete jungle.
October – USA, Mexico Grand Prix
United States Grand Prix (October 18-20)
Location: Circuit of the Americas
About Circuit: Built specifically to host the Grand Prix, it has been a part of the F1 calendar since 2012, and is the scene of Hamilton’s last-ever win for McClaren before he made the switch to Mercedes.
Size does matter in Texas, as we all know, and supporters won’t be surprised to see how wide and arching the first turn is on this marvellously exciting and enthralling track that leaves plenty of room for overtaking.
Stretching over 308.405 km, it’s now a staple part of the Formula One race circuit.
Mexican Grand Prix (October 25-27)
Location: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
About Circuit: Since its reintroduction to the Formula One circuit in 2015, this racetrack has been mainly dominated by two drivers, with Verstappen and Hamilton winning five of the six runnings.
Situated a whopping 2,000 metres above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the highest racetrack on the Formula One calendar, which means drivers must acclimatise before participating. The thinning air also decreases the performance of car engines, making the Mexican Grand Prix a unique and exciting event.
November – Brazil, Las Vegas Grand Prix
Brazilian Grand Prix (November 1-3)
Location: Autódromo José Carlos Pace
About Circuit: Otherwise referred to as the Interlagos, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is up there with the most testing of circuits.
Although short in length, its elevation changes and tight corners makes it a tough task for drivers. The infamous “Senna S” section is especially infamous. Named after Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna, it requires precision and skill to navigate and has bested many elite drivers.
Keep an eye out for the passionate Brazilian fans, also known as “torcedores”, who create an intense and colourful ambiance throughout the race weekend.
Las Vegas Grand Prix (November 21-23)
Location: Las Vegas Strip Street Circuit
About Circuit: Racing fans hit the jackpot when Las Vegas was announced as a venue as part of the Formula One calendar in 2023. The city first hosted the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in 1981, which was part of the Formula One World Championship. However, due to poor track conditions and lack of spectator interest, the event was discontinued after only two editions.
It bounced back with a bang in 2023 – with Verstappen coming out on top for Red Bull Racing. Stretching for 6.2km, the 17-turn street circuit winds its way past iconic locations like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian.
December – Qatar, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Qatar Grand Prix (November 29 – December 1)
Location: Losail International Circuit
About Circuit: Located in the heart of the desert, the Losail International Circuit is surrounded by stunning sand dunes. While its beauty is nigh-on unbeatable, all the focus and attention turns to an incredible racetrack that is brimming with all the modern touches that makes a Formula One circuit so great.
An example of such technological advancement is the circuit’s lighting, which is fully illuminated by a state-of-the-art floodlighting system. The Qatar Grand Prix is held at night to counter the extreme heat in the heart of the dunes, and the lighting makes for an incredible viewing experience.
The track is dominated by medium-paced and fast-paced corners truncated by a rapid 1km straight, where drivers can really let their wheels fly.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (December 6-8)
Location: Yas Island
About Circuit: A state-of-the-art racing track covering 5.554 kilometres and 21 turns, Yas Island is a unique design, where super wealthy onlookers can watch the race unfold at the iconic Yas Viceroy Hotel that spans over it. There is a pit lane that passes under the hotel, too.
