An FIA sign is pictured in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas. GETTY IMAGES

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, on Monday proposed a change to the sprint format for the weekend races of the 2024 season, which starts in Bahrain later this month.

Following a meeting of its Sporting Advisory Committee, the FIA has announced that "it has been agreed to change the order of the sessions during the Sprint Weekend". Free practice and sprint qualifying will now take place on the Friday of the sprint weekend, with the sprint races and qualifying for Sunday races taking place on Saturday. Like last year, there will be six sprint races this season, in China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Brazil and Qatar.

A proposal to increase the allocation of power units to four per rider for the 2024 and 2025 seasons has been agreed. Regulatory refinements for these changes will be presented to the World Motor Sport Council on 28 February. The 24-race season, which begins in Bahrain on 2 March, will feature six sprint weekends.