Drivers hit Bahrain

The wait is over.

After three months off and three days of testing, the 2024 Formula 1 season is set to start in Bahrain for the fourth consecutive year.

All 20 drivers from last year’s grid remain with their same teams this season, a first in F1 history.

Three-time defending champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing enjoyed one of the most dominant seasons in Formula 1 history in 2023. Testing results last week showed Red Bull is likely still the class of the field with others still closing the gap.

Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, here’s what to know about the F1 season:

Schedule changes

This year Formula 1 will have a record-high 24 races. F1 organizers changed the schedule to reduce “logistical burdens” in an effort to make the sport more sustainable.

Three races have changed weekends for 2024:The Japanese Grand Prix moved up to April, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moved later to September, and the Qatar Grand Prix will be the second-tolast race of the year.

The first two races of the year in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be held on Saturday night local time to accommodate for Ramadan.

Sprint weekend changes

The 2024 Formula 1 season sees a slight tweak in weekend formats as well. Six of the 24 events will be sprint weekends, starting with the Chinese Grand Prix in April.

Sprint race weekends will have Practice and Sprint Shootout sessions on Friday, Sprint Race and Qualifying sessions on Saturday, and the Grand Prix Race on Sunday.

How to watch races in the US

ESPN holds the broadcasting rights to Formula 1 in the U.S. this season. Since 2018, the network has simulcast U.K.-based Sky Sports’ coverage of Formula 1 events. Most races air on ESPN live and on ESPN+ with select events moving to ABC under the ESPN on ABC banner.

Fans can watch Formula 1 in the U.S. with the sports’ own streaming service, F1TV. The service offers two tiers – F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Access – that include multiple ways to catch the action on track. FuboTV also streams Formula 1 coverage in the U.S.