Top
0 £0 Basket
Basket Summary
Basket Total: £0
Go to basket
All All Adult Driving Junior Driving Car Track Day Bike Track Day Experience Days Help Login Corporate My Voucher Gift Cards 01376 809032

Formula 1 announces session times for 2021 season - News

This weekend saw Formula 1 confirm all of its session times for the upcoming season, which is due to begin with this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, 28th March. It confirms the rumours that have been abound for the last few weeks that practice time was due to be reduced.

Previously in F1 seasons, the two Friday practice sessions have lasted for 90 minutes, followed by an hour’s practice session on Saturday morning before the main event on Sunday. However, effective from next month, the two Friday sessions will now be an hour long each, thus cutting practice time by an hour on race weekends.

With the exception of countries that hold twilight or night races - Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Singapore - most race weekends will commence at 11:30am local time, with race start times now happening on the hour rather than 10 minutes past the hour, as had been the case before.

The previous change was primarily due to Liberty Media, the TV production company for F1, pushing back the start of a Grand Prix last season by 10 minutes, to allow broadcasters to air short live build-up coverage prior to the start.

However, with most opting to air an hour-long build up show in their respective territories - Channel 4, who show live coverage of the races here in the UK included - the move to start races at 10 minutes past has subsequently been reverted back to on the hour.

Meanwhile, the location of the third race of the season on Sunday, 2nd May is still hanging in the balance. It is looking increasingly unlikely that F1 will be returning to Portimão this season, following further tightening of restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic there, but it has not yet been indicated where its replacement is likely to be.

In other news, Renault will also return to the forthcoming season and are committed to Formula 1 until at least 2025, but they will now be operating under a new name, as they rebrand to the Alpine F1 Team following wider branding shifts in the Renault Group as a whole.

It was confirmed in July last year that two time world champion Fernando Alonso would be returning to the team for another season, and team bosses are hoping that the new branding and colours as Alpine will bring Renault back to victory after five consecutive seasons without a win since 2016.

Keep checking back to our News pages on TrackDays, as we will continue to bring you all the latest developments ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Formula 1 announces session times for 2021 season
01 February 2021
Trackdays

Other News

Ariel Atom 4RR: The 525bhp Track Monster Has Finally Arrived

Ariel Atom 4RR: The 525bhp Track Monster Has Finally Arrived

The Ariel Atom 4RR delivers 525bhp of raw, road-legal power in a lightweight, track-focused beast celebrating 25 years of madness.
08 July 2025
Lucy
The Isle of Man TT: Speed, Danger, and the Spirit of Real Racing

The Isle of Man TT: Speed, Danger, and the Spirit of Real Racing

A wild ride through the history of the Isle of Man TT - the world's most thrilling, dangerous, and gloriously unfiltered motorcycle race
18 June 2025
Lucy
New Rolls Royce Driving Experiences Arrive At Our Venues

New Rolls Royce Driving Experiences Arrive At Our Venues

The turbocharged and super sleek Wraith model from the British automotive marque is now yours to drive on our newest driving package
22 May 2025
News
Flexi-Wings in F1: The Brilliant Bendy Bits Stirring Up Trouble

Flexi-Wings in F1: The Brilliant Bendy Bits Stirring Up Trouble

Flexi-wings are back in the spotlight - here's why these bendy aero tricks are stirring chaos, controversy, and cleverness in F1 2025
02 June 2025
Lucy
F1 Academy: Paving the Way for Women in Motorsport

F1 Academy: Paving the Way for Women in Motorsport

F1 Academy is shifting gears for Women in Motorsport, launched in 2023 to develop and promote Female Drivers toward the top tiers of racing.
03 June 2025
Beth
End of an Era: Farewell to the Caterham Seven 310 Encore

End of an Era: Farewell to the Caterham Seven 310 Encore

Iconic Ford powered motors to be sent off with a limited run of models set to hit production in the UK and abroad
11 July 2025
Alex