2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The fourth running of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit across 7–9 March. The Grand Prix is the second round of the 2024 season and takes place on Saturday to accommodate Ramadan, which begins on 10 March.

Championship standings

After the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship with 26 points, 8 points ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez in second, and 11 ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr. in third. Red Bull Racing leads the Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari by 17 points, and Mercedes by 28 points.

Previous race

At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen led every lap from pole position, recording the fastest lap for his fifth career grand chelem. His teammate Sergio Pérez finished second, with Carlos Sainz Jr. third for Ferrari. The race was the first season-opener in Formula One history without any retirements.

Entrants

The driver line-up was initially the same as the season entry list. However, Ferrari reserve and Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman replaces Carlos Sainz Jr. starting from the third free practice session, after Sainz is diagnosed with appendicitis and withdraws from the event to undergo surgery. Bearman makes his Formula One debut.

Weather

Clear conditions are expected for race day.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C2, C3, and C4 tyre compounds — the middle three in their range — designated hard, medium, and soft respectively.

Practice

FP1, on Thursday, is topped by Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing ahead of Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez. FP2 is delayed by ten minutes as bolts are checked on drain covers in the pit lane; the session is topped by Alonso ahead of George Russell of Mercedes and Verstappen. FP3 is topped by Verstappen ahead of Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Pérez. The session is red-flagged after Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu loses control and crashes into the barriers, but resumes after barrier repairs are completed.