Overview
Everything you need to know about Formula 1 Sprint weekends in the 2026 season: which events use the Sprint format, how the weekend is structured, how Sprint qualifying works, the points on offer and practical details like pit stops and parc fermé rules.
When and where are the Sprint weekends?
Six of the 24 grands prix in 2026 will use the Sprint format:
– March 13–15: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai (Sprint weekend winner: George Russell)
– May 1–3: Miami Grand Prix, Miami
– May 22–24: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal
– July 3–5: British Grand Prix, Silverstone
– August 21–23: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort
– October 9–11: Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore
Notes: Canada, the Netherlands and Singapore host Sprint weekends for the first time, and Silverstone returns to the Sprint rota for the first time since 2021.
What is an F1 Sprint?
The Sprint format centers on a shorter Saturday race designed to add competitive action to the weekend. Introduced at selected events in 2021 and expanded thereafter, Sprint weekends reshuffle the usual timetable so there is meaningful on-track competition on each day. The Sprint has its own qualifying session on Friday and is a roughly 100 km race on Saturday that awards additional championship points to the top finishers.
Sprint weekend schedule (typical)
Friday
– Practice 1 (one-hour free practice)
– Sprint Qualifying (sets grid for Saturday’s Sprint)
Saturday
– Sprint (approx. 100 km)
– Grand Prix Qualifying (sets grid for Sunday’s race)
Sunday
– Grand Prix
Format details
– Practice: Each Sprint weekend includes a single one-hour free practice session on Friday.
– Sprint Qualifying: Also on Friday, using a shortened knockout format to determine the starting order for Saturday’s Sprint.
– Sprint race: A short, flat-out contest on Saturday. Full qualifying for the Grand Prix takes place later on Saturday and decides the Sunday grid.
How Sprint Qualifying works
Sprint Qualifying follows the same three-part knockout structure as the regular qualifying session but with shorter time limits to encourage teams to plan for one flying lap per segment:
– SQ1: 12 minutes
– SQ2: 10 minutes
– SQ3: 8 minutes
Tyre rules in Sprint Qualifying
– Teams are restricted to one set of tyres for each part of Sprint Qualifying.
– A new set of medium tyres is mandatory for both SQ1 and SQ2.
– SQ3 requires a set of soft tyres (new or used).
These constraints limit running and increase the importance of executing a single optimal lap in each phase.
Sprint points system (2026)
The Sprint awards points to the top eight finishers, for a total of 36 points distributed as follows:
– 1st: 8 points
– 2nd: 7 points
– 3rd: 6 points
– 4th: 5 points
– 5th: 4 points
– 6th: 3 points
– 7th: 2 points
– 8th: 1 point
Pit stops in the Sprint
Because Sprints are short, pit stops are uncommon. There is no mandatory tyre change as there is in the Grand Prix, so teams typically complete the Sprint without pitting unless a driver suffers damage, a puncture or changing weather makes a stop necessary. Teams may choose any compound (hard, medium or soft) for the Sprint.
Car changes and parc fermé
Cars enter parc fermé conditions when the first competitive session (Sprint Qualifying on Friday) begins. After the Sprint on Saturday the parc fermé restrictions are lifted, allowing teams to make setup changes before full qualifying for the Grand Prix later that day. Parc fermé is then re-applied at the start of Grand Prix Qualifying, locking the cars for the Sunday race setup.
Broadcast note
Sprint weekends are covered by Formula 1 broadcasters as part of live race weekend coverage. For example, the Miami Sprint weekend will be shown on Sky Sports F1 with the Grand Prix on Sunday evening; streaming options vary by region.