The fans in the F1 community are still scratching their heads and looking for answers as the 2024 season takes another break, this comes weeks after making its return from the summer break.
Why this four-week break is taken in the 2024 season?
The people who follow the sport Formula 1 are familiar with the summer break where the racing comes to a halt from the end of July till the end of August. But, this four-week break has taken everybody by surprise as the last race, Singapore Grand Prix took place on 22nd September and the next race in the form of the United States Grand Prix will happen on 20th October.
One of the main reasons behind this break is that Formula 1's ambition is to have more races together based on geographical location which will help them reduce its carbon footprints. This move has seen a shuffle in races that have been moved from their traditional calendar slots.
Firstly, Azerbaijan was moved from its usual May date to September and the Japanese Grand Prix didn't take place in the Autumn as it used to and was moved to April.
The Qatar Grand Prix is the second last race of the season as the last race takes place in Abu Dhabi. The reason behind this four-week hiatus is that the decision to move the Japanese Grand Prix came out too late for other races to be rescheduled.
ALSO READ: Ty Dillon to race full-time for Kaulig Racing in upcoming NASCAR Cup Season
There was no sense in rescheduling the upcoming US Grand Prix as the next three races after this will happen in Mexico, Brazil and then again United States. There is no point in keeping the Qatar Grand Prix in October due to the unbearable heat and in 2023, drivers described it as the worst conditions they have ever driven in.
The teams are not allowed to close their facilities during the current break. But, the teams must close their facilities during the 14-day summer break.
This will not happen in the next season as there will only be a two-week gap between races post the summer break. The street circuit of Marina Bay will see the race two weeks later than this year as the Singapore Grand Prix will happen in the first week of October.
The season opener in recent years, the Bahrain Grand Prix will make way for the Australian Grand Prix, which was at one time the season opener in the pinnacle of motorsport. The 2025 season will kick off at Albert Park, Melbourne on March 16 and then the action heads to China. The following races will take place in Japan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Glazers contribute $100,000 for Hurricane Helene relief
