Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP race days

[Red9zero]

Apologies if I have missed this somewhere, but Sky have the race days for these two GP`s as the Saturday. I can't remember that happening before ?

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13050107/f...

[LucyP]

It's because of Ramadan.

[Red9zero]

Yeah, I saw that. Just thought it was odd, although very convenient for me, as my wife has gone and booked us a meal with friends for the Sunday. I did panic for a minute

[mattikake]

Oh really? I was about to ask this question. Both sky F1 and the fom sites have 29/2 to 2/3 as the dates and I was seriously confused!

[Sandpit Steve]

mattikake said:

Oh really? I was about to ask this question. Both sky F1 and the fom sites have 29/2 to 2/3 as the dates and I was seriously confused!

Yes, first two events are Thu-Fri-Sat. This is to avoid being in Saudi for the start of Ramadan, with Bahrain also moved back 24h to maintain the mandatory seven days between events.

[thegreenhell]

Thus avoiding a Ramadan-a-ding-dong.

[blackmme]

British Grand Prix when held at Silverstone (it alternated with Brands from 66 to 86) was always on a Saturday due to some arcane Sunday trading rules that Silverstone adhered to (I don't think Brands did).

[Trevatanus]

Given that there are 24 races this year, why on earth would they choose to hold Bahrain and SA on these weekends, it makes no sense??

[willy wombat]

I suppose if they can have the Vegas race on Saturday due to the power of Mammon then they can have these races on a Saturday due to the power of Allah.

[g4ry13]

I didn't know about the race happening today and missed it. Crap track, crap racing and they should just do the opener elsewhere.

[T_16]

I know F1 has ALWAYS been about the money, but it's even more nakedly so now. They are simply shameless with everything.
The Miami car park stuff was absolutely ludicrous.
It was cringeworthy seeing the Sky team all oo-ing and ahh-ing about having the paddock rammed into some crappy American footie stadiums pitch. Absolutely dreadful stuff.

[g4ry13]

Why is SA on a Saturday too? Ramadan is all month.

[cuprabob]

g4ry13 said:

Why is SA on a Saturday too? Ramadan is all month.

SA has to be on a Saturday because of Ramadan. Ramadan starts 10th March. Bahrain had to be on a Saturday to allow the required 7 days between races.

[g4ry13]

cuprabob said:

g4ry13 said:

Why is SA on a Saturday too? Ramadan is all month.

SA has to be on a Saturday because of Ramadan. Ramadan starts 10th March. Bahrain had to be on a Saturday to allow the required 7 days between races.

Ah gotcha, that makes sense now.