Bahrain Grand Prix

March 2, 2024, at home

I am watching live coverage of the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 racing season. The Bahrain Grand Prix is being broadcast on Sky Sports F1 (on a feed on ESPN). The race started at 6 p.m. local time (10 a.m. Eastern Time in the United States).

Below is a diagram of the Bahrain International Circuit, the circuit (track) for today's race in Sakhir, Bahrain. Each circuit around the world has a different configuration, therefore a different dynamic.

The first two races this season (in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia) will be held on Saturdays due to the Islamic observance of Ramadan, which technically starts on March 10, 2024, but includes the month of March. All other races will be held on Sundays, as usual, except for the Las Vegas Grand Prix which will also be held on Saturday. 

Before each race, there are two days of practice and qualifying. The races run every week or every other week from March into December.

This season's 24-race schedule is as follows: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, China, Miami, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy (different circuit), Azerbaijan, Singapore, Austin, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

In Formula 1 racing, there are 20 (male) drivers, with one driver from the United States. There are 10 teams (with two drivers on each team). This season, as with last season, there are three races in the United States. In fairly recent years, there were no drivers from the United States and no races in the United States. 

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. I have been a fan for decades. I watched my first F1 race long ago on television at the home of one of my many Austrian cousins while on vacation in Austria.