An extra shot of racing action across a Grand Prix weekend—what’s not to love?
The Formula One Sprint format continues to grow in popularity after its introduction in 2021, delivering shorter, high-intensity races that add even more excitement to the traditional Grand Prix weekend.
For the 2026 season, the Sprint calendar has expanded further, featuring six Sprint events across the year. These additional races give fans more competitive track action, while also shaking up strategy for teams and drivers. With points on the line and limited time to make an impact, Sprint weekends often produce bold overtakes, unpredictable results, and dramatic shifts in momentum before the main race even begins.
As the format evolves, it continues to play a key role in modern Formula One—bringing more racing, more intensity, and more entertainment across the entire weekend.
F1 Sprint Weekend Format Explained
The Sprint weekend in the Formula One is designed to deliver more racing action across all three days of a Grand Prix weekend, replacing some of the traditional practice running with competitive sessions.
Weekend Schedule
A Sprint weekend features a revised structure compared to a standard race weekend:
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Friday: Free Practice 1 (FP1) followed by Sprint Qualifying
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Saturday morning: Sprint Race
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Saturday afternoon: Grand Prix Qualifying
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Sunday: Main Grand Prix race
In this format, Sprint Qualifying replaces FP2, and the Sprint Race takes the place of FP3, meaning teams have fewer practice opportunities but more competitive track time.
Sprint Qualifying Format
Sprint Qualifying mirrors the structure of traditional Qualifying but in a shortened, more intense version split into three knockout sessions:
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SQ1: 12 minutes – slowest six drivers eliminated (positions P17–P22)
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SQ2: 10 minutes – next six drivers eliminated (positions P11–P16)
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SQ3: 8 minutes – top 10 battle for Sprint pole position
To add a strategic twist, tyre rules are stricter than usual:
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SQ1 and SQ2 must be completed on Medium tyres
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SQ3 runs must be done on Soft tyres
This forces teams to balance performance and tyre management from the very first lap.
Sprint Race Rules
The Sprint Race itself is a flat-out 100km dash, with no mandatory pit stops required. Drivers only stop if damage occurs or if weather conditions change significantly enough to demand it.
Points are awarded based on finishing position, making the Sprint not just an exhibition, but a meaningful part of the championship fight.
Each team is allocated a slightly modified tyre selection for the weekend:
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6 Soft tyres
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4 Medium tyres
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2 Hard tyres
This differs from a standard Grand Prix allocation and adds another layer of strategy for engineers and drivers.
Why It Matters
The Sprint format compresses pressure, reduces preparation time, and increases on-track stakes. With less room for error and more competitive sessions across the weekend, it delivers constant action from Friday through Sunday—keeping fans engaged from start to finish.
Are Points Awarded in F1 Sprint Races?
Yes—Sprint races in the Formula One award championship points, but only to the top eight finishers. The scoring system is:
8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1, rewarding drivers from P1 through P8.
However, there is no additional point for fastest lap, unlike some past seasons in Formula One.
While the top three finishers are recognised after the Sprint, they only receive a ceremonial plaque in parc fermé. This does not count as an official podium, and winning a Sprint is not recorded as a Grand Prix victory in the sport’s history books.
How Many Sprint Races in 2026?
The 2026 season will continue with a total of six Sprint weekends, maintaining the format seen in recent years but with some important changes to the venues.
Returning Sprint locations include:
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Chinese Grand Prix
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Miami Grand Prix
A major addition sees the Canadian Grand Prix host a Sprint for the first time, expanding the format into new territory.
New Calendar Structure
For the first time since Sprint races were introduced in 2021, the 2026 schedule will feature four Sprint events before the summer break. The final one in this early phase will take place at the iconic British Grand Prix at Silverstone—the historic venue that hosted the very first Sprint race in 2021.
After the summer shutdown, the calendar adds two new Sprint destinations:
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Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort
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Singapore Grand Prix
Notably, 2026 will also be the first season without a Sprint race at Interlagos since the format began.
Team & Driver Highlights
Sprint weekends have been particularly successful for Mercedes across different driver pairings since the format’s introduction. The team has achieved multiple double podiums, including a standout performance in São Paulo 2025 where both drivers finished on the Sprint podium.
Drivers such as George Russell have been especially consistent in Sprint events, while rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli made headlines in 2025 by becoming the youngest-ever polesitter of any kind in Formula One during a Sprint Qualifying session at Miami.
Did You Know?
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Mercedes has won three Sprint races since the format began in 2021.
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Valtteri Bottas won the first-ever Sprint at Monza in 2021 and again at Interlagos the same year.
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George Russell scored Sprint victory in São Paulo 2022 before winning his first Grand Prix the next day.
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The Sprint format continues to evolve, shaping modern race weekends into more compact, high-intensity battles.