The sprint format will be on show this weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix for the first time this season, in what will be the 13th time F1 has used it.
When it was first introduced back in 2021, only three sprint races took place. The same happened the following season in 2022, before the number of sprint was doubled last year.
Six sprint races took place during the 22-race 2023 season, with six also being scheduled for the record-breaking calendar this year.
The Shanghai International Circuit will host the first of them on Saturday, but which driver is currently leading the fictional sprint standings?
In the sprint races back in 2021, points were only awarded to the top three drivers; however, since 2022, the leading eight drivers have scored points. First receives eight points, whilst eighth receives one-point.
Unsurprisingly, reigning world champion Max Verstappen has scored the most points in the sprint format. Verstappen has achieved 73 points across all sprint races, 32 points ahead of Carlos Sainz in second.
Sergio Perez is a further two points adrift in third, whilst Charles Leclerc and George Russell complete the top five.
Check out how the sprint championship standings would look below!
F1 sprint championship standings
| Pos. | Driver. | Team. | Points. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 73 |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 41 |
| 3 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 39 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 38 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | 31 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 27 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 26 |
| 8 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 15 |
| 9 | Valtteri Bottas | Stake F1 | 9 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 8 |
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