F1 Sprint Races 2026: Format, Schedule, Venues, Points and More Explained

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The 2026 Formula 1 season will feature six sprint events, with the first taking place at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 13. The sprint format remains similar to last year, with a short 100km race on Saturday following Friday's sprint qualifying session. The top eight finishers in the sprint will score points, making it a crucial part of the championship. The sprint format will also be held at races in Miami, Canada, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore.

Why it matters

The sprint format was introduced in 2021 to add more competitive action across the race weekend, with fans getting to see qualifying, the sprint race, and the main Grand Prix all in one event. The points awarded in the sprint also make it an important part of the drivers' and constructors' championships.

The details

The sprint qualifying session on Friday follows a knockout format, with the six slowest cars eliminated in the first two sessions. Drivers must use medium tires in the first two sessions and softs in the final session. The sprint race on Saturday is 100km long with no mandatory pit stops. The starting order for the sprint is determined by the sprint qualifying results, while the main Grand Prix grid is set after the sprint race.

• The Chinese Grand Prix 2026 is set to host the first sprint of the season on March 13.
• The sprint format will also be used at races in Miami (May 2), Canada (May 23), Silverstone (July 4), Zandvoort (August 22), and Singapore (October 10) in 2026.

What’s next

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