Formula 1 Reveals Sprint Race Calendar for 2026
Formula 1 has announced the scheduling of six sprint races for the 2026 season, introducing new venues for this format in Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore. China and Miami will maintain the sprint races, while Silverstone joins the calendar for the first time since the implementation of this format in 2021. Sprint race weekends include an additional 100 km race on Saturday and an additional qualifying session on Friday to define the grid for the sprint race. Practice sessions are reduced from three one-hour sessions to a single one-hour session, while the qualifying format and the Grand Prix remain the same. The incorporation of sprint races in Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Great Britain implies the elimination of this format from the race weekends in Belgium, Austin, Brazil, and Qatar.
2026 Sprint Race Calendar:
- March 13-15 – Chinese Grand Prix
- May 1-3 – Miami Grand Prix
- May 22-24 – Canadian Grand Prix
- July 3-5 – British Grand Prix
- August 21-23 – Dutch Grand Prix
- October 9-11 – Singapore Grand Prix
Due to significant regulatory changes in 2026, the number of sprint races will remain at six, but sources indicate that up to 12 races are being considered in 2027. Changes to the sprint race format will also be discussed, including the possible introduction of reverse grids, although similar proposals have not gained the support of teams and drivers in the past. F1 claims that sprint race weekends result in a 10% increase in television viewership compared to normal race weekends with three practice sessions. The sprint race weekend at next year’s Dutch Grand Prix will be the last event at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future, after the circuit opted not to renew its race contract with the sport beyond 2026. Singapore’s sprint race is expected to be a twilight race on Saturday, before the usual night qualifying session. F1 will introduce new regulations next year based on a power unit that derives half of its energy from a battery, while the other half is provided by sustainable fuel.There is a topic on the table regarding the format we will use in the coming years, starting with the sprint weekends. We need to understand if we should increase them, how to increase them, and if we should use different formats. We are having several discussions with the teams to decide the direction.
Stefano Domenicali
