F1 2025 sprint race start times & schedule
The F1 sprint race has been a new concept in Formula 1 since 2021, when the format was first introduced at the British Grand Prix. But what is an F1 sprint race and what are the start times and schedules for the sprint races in 2025?
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 2025 sprint races schedule
In the 2025 F1 season, there are no less than six sprint races on the calendar. When and where these take place and what time they can be seen can be seen in the overview below.
Overview F1 2025 sprint race start times
| Race | Date | Race time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| GP China | March 22 | 03:00 |
| GP Miami | May 3 | 17:00 |
| GP Belgium | July 26 | 11:00 |
| GP United States | October 18 | 18:00 |
| GP Brazil | November 8 | 14:00 |
| GP Qatar | November 29 | 14:00 |
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.
Sprint qualifying schedule 2025
| Race | Date | Time (GMT/BST) |
|---|---|---|
| GP China | March 21 | 7:30 |
| GP Miami | May 2 | 21:30 |
| GP Belgium | July 25 | 15:30 |
| GP United States | October 17 | 22:30 |
| GP Brazil | November 7 | 18:30 |
| GP Qatar | November 28 | 17:30 |
China GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 Chinese GP sprint race is 3:00 GMT and will take place on Saturday, March 22.
Miami GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 Miami GP sprint race is 17:00 BST and will take place on Saturday, May 3.
Belgian GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 Belgian GP sprint race is 11:00 BST and will take place on Saturday, July 26.
United States GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 United States GP sprint race is 18:00 BST and will take place on Saturday, October 18.
Brazil GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 United States GP sprint race is 14:00 GMT and will take place on Saturday, November 8.
Qatar GP sprint race start time
The start time of the F1 Qatar GP sprint race is 14:00 GMT and will take place on Saturday, November 29.
Winners F1 sprint races 2025
The table below lists all F1 sprint race winners of the 2025 season.
Overview F1 sprint race winners 2025
| Race | Date | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese GP | March 22 2025 | - |
| Miami GP | May 3 2025 | - |
| Belgian GP | July 26 2025 | - |
| United States GP | October 18 2025 | - |
| Brazilian GP | November 8 2025 | - |
| Qatar GP | November 29 2025 | - |
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.
Points F1 sprint races
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 4 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 1 |
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.
First F1 sprint race of 2021
The 2021 British Grand Prix saw the first sprint race. Lewis Hamilton started from pole position, having qualified fastest the day before. However, Max Verstappen overtook him at the start and ended up becoming the first winner of a sprint race. These points that Verstappen gained from this sprint race ended up being very important during the exciting title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, which Max Verstappen eventually won.
Best sprint racers 2025 F1 season
| Driver | Points |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | 0 |
| Liam Lawson | 0 |
| Lando Norris | 0 |
| Oscar Piastri | 0 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 0 |
| Charles Leclerc | 0 |
| George Russell | 0 |
| Kimi Antonelli | 0 |
| Fernando Alonso | 0 |
| Lance Stroll | 0 |
| Pierre Gasly | 0 |
| Jack Doohan | 0 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | 0 |
| Isack Hadjar | 0 |
| Esteban Ocon | 0 |
| Oliver Bearman | 0 |
| Alexander Albon | 0 |
| Carlos Sainz | 0 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | 0 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | 0 |
Best F1 sprint racers all-time
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | 111 |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | 69 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | 67 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | 57 |
| 5 | Sergio Perez | 53 |
| 6 | George Russell | 50 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | 42 |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton | 42 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | 10 |
| 10 | Daniel Ricciardo | 9 |
What is sprintrace F1?
Which races are sprint races F1 2025?
What is the new F1 sprint format?
How many laps is a F1 sprint race?
What is a F1 sprint qualifying session?
What is the difference between sprint and sprint qualifying?
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