F1 2026 sprint race start times & schedule

What is an F1 sprint race?

A sprint race is similar to a regular Grand Prix, only it is a lot shorter. In sprint races, the drivers have to race a distance of 100 km, whereas in a normal race it is at least 305 km. So in terms of time, a sprint race is also a lot shorter, lasting about 25 minutes to half an hour.

F1 2026 sprint races schedule

In the 2026 F1 season, there are six Sprint races on the calendar.

What is an F1 Sprint qualifying

The sprint race format has changed in 2023 compared to sprint races in previous seasons. Saturday will be all about the sprint race and sprint shooutout. In 2024, the format changed once again.

• First of all, a sprint qualifying will take place: a separate qualifying session for the sprint race line-up later in the day after the free practice session. See table below for all sprint qualifying start times;
• After this separate qualification, the sprint race will take place the next day. Previous seasons, the sprint qualifying and sprint race took place on the same day, but now they are on separate days.
• Qualifying for the race already takes place on the Saturday after the sprint race. Also, Formula 1 drivers have only one free practice that they can drive.

Winners F1 sprint races 2026

The table below lists all F1 sprint race winners of the 2026 season.

Championship points during an F1 sprint race

No points are handed out during a regular qualifying session, but points are awarded during sprint races, although not as many as the 'normal' race on Sunday. In the sprint, only the top eight drivers score points. The Formula 1 driver who finishes in first place will receive 8 points and the one who manages to finish eighth can add 1 point to the championship.

Different points system in 2021

However, the point count during the first sprint races in 2021 was different. Here, only the top 3 received points. Number 1 received 3 points, number 2 received 2 points and number 3 received 1 point.

F1 sprint race schedule

The schedule of a sprint race weekend looks different than during a regular race weekend. During a standard race weekend, the first two free practice sessions take place on Friday, the third free practice on Saturday, followed by qualifying. On Sunday, the race takes place.

What does the schedule of a sprint race weekend look like?

• Friday early afternoon - Free practice 1
• Friday late afternoon - Sprint Qualifying
• Saturday morning - Sprint
• Saturday afternoon - Qualifying
• Sunday - Grand Prix

A notable difference from a regular race weekend is also that during an F1 sprint race weekend, there is only one free practice instead of three. Again, this can create more excitement on the track. Also, Saturday during the 2025 season will be all about the sprint race.