The conclusion of Super Bowl XV marks the end of the 2023-2024 NFL season. That can only mean one thing.
It’s NFL Draft season.
No, wait! That means two things.
It’s also F1 season.
By the end of this week, each team will have announced at least a livery, if not a challenger, for next season. Shakedown sessions are also underway and pre-season testing is expected to begin in the coming days.
Ahead of the 2024 F1 season, here are some recent rule changes you should know about before the grid returns in earnest.
Sprint race schedule changes
“F1 Sprint Saturday” was introduced to the schedule from last season.
The weekend format was changed for the six weekends that included sprint races in the schedule. Instead of the traditional Grand Prix weekend of two practices on Friday, pre-qualifying practice on Saturday and the race on Sunday, teams only had one practice session.
That practice session was to take place on Friday, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Saturday was named “F1 Sprint Saturday,” and a sprint race was to be held. Before the sprint race itself, the “F1 Sprint Shootout”, which serves as qualifying for the sprint race, will be held first.
And on Sunday, fans will be treated to the main event.
The schedule has been changed for 2024. After practice on Friday, the teams will take part in qualifying for the F1 sprint race. That race will be held on Saturday, and will also include qualifying for the Grand Prix itself.
It takes place on Sunday.
As with the 2023 season, there will be six sprint weekends on the 2024 F1 calendar. The first was the Chinese Grand Prix in April, followed by the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Austrian. There will be six sprint weekends this season: the Grand Prix in June, the American Grand Prix in October, the São Paulo Grand Prix in November, and the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of December.
Adjusted power unit assignment
F1 has also increased the number of power units available to each team throughout the season. Last season, teams were allowed to fit three power units throughout the year, with grid penalties imposed on drivers who fitted an additional power unit.
For this season and next, teams will be assigned four power units throughout the season.
Changed to DRS
Additionally, changes will be made to the Drag Reduction System (DRS). In previous seasons, drivers were only allowed to use DRS two laps into the race, or after a restart after the safety car.
This season, drivers can now use DRS after just one lap, either after the start of the race or after a restart.
