F1 confirm 2026 sprint calendar with major change

F1 has announced which grands prix in the 2026 season will be sprint events, with six across the 24-round slate, as has been the case the past two seasons.

However, there has been significant change to the venues selected to host the altered F1 weekends, with only two of the six from 2025 remaining in place.

The sprint calendar will commence at the second round of the season, in Shanghai, before resuming at the Miami Grand Prix, which is round six - both held sprints earlier in the current campaign, as they did in 2024.

Montreal will hold its first sprint since the format was introduced to F1 in 2021, this coming in addition to the Canadian Grand Prix being moved forward to May from its usual June slot on the schedule.

Silverstone, which has not hosted a sprint weekend since that first season in 2021, will experience the current configuration for the first time.

The Dutch Grand Prix, in its final season on the F1 calendar, will hold the fifth sprint of the campaign - its first time doing so, as already confirmed. The Marina Bay Street Circuit, home of the Singapore Grand Prix, will also debut on the sprint schedule.

Conversely, for the first time, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos will not host a sprint. The United States Grand Prix will also see a three-year sprint run come to a close.

"The F1 Sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021," said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

"With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional grand prix weekend, F1 Sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters - driving increased attendance and viewership. We’re also proud to have welcomed Gatorade as an Official Partner of F1 Sprint, demonstrating the huge interest in the event from an iconic global brand.

"The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations, so having three new Sprint venues will only add to the drama on track. I want to thank the FIA, all the promoters, our partners, marshals, volunteers, and local sporting clubs for continuing to make the Sprint a big success, and we all look forward to giving our fans more incredible racing and excitement in the 2026 season."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: "The Sprint format has become an increasingly exciting part of the FIA Formula One World Championship, delivering high-intensity racing and added entertainment for fans around the world.

"As we look ahead to a landmark 2026 season featuring a new generation of cars and regulations, I’m pleased to see the Sprint evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the sport.

"The inclusion of new venues alongside returning favourites reflects the continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams and fans alike. We will continue to work closely with FOM, the teams, our officials, and the drivers to ensure the Sprint format enhances the championship."

The full calendar can be found below - article continues after.

Sprint calendar expansion

F1 is currently engaging in talks to increase the sprint calendar to as many as 12 rounds in 2027. How many sprints do you think the F1 schedule should have?

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