Formula 1 has announced the six venues that will host Sprint weekends in the 2026 season. The format, first introduced in 2021, has become a regular feature on the calendar, giving fans more racing action across the weekend.
The shorter races not only add excitement but also give drivers a chance to score extra points. Over the years, the Sprint format has grown in popularity among fans and teams alike.
What Is the Sprint Format?
On a Sprint weekend, the schedule is slightly different from a normal Grand Prix:
- Friday: Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying.
- Saturday: Sprint Race (100 km, about one-third of a normal Grand Prix) and a separate Qualifying for the main race.
- Sunday: The Grand Prix.
Points are awarded to the top eight drivers in the Sprint, making it important for both drivers and teams.
The Six Venues for 2026
Formula 1 has chosen a mix of familiar and new venues for the 2026 Sprint races:
- Shanghai International Circuit (China) – set to host a Sprint for the second year in a row, after being included in the 2025 calendar.
- Miami International Autodrome (USA) – set to stage its third consecutive Sprint weekend.
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Canada) – will host a Sprint for the first time.
- Silverstone (United Kingdom) – the birthplace of Formula 1 returns to the Sprint calendar, having hosted the first-ever Sprint in 2021.
- Zandvoort (Netherlands) – another newcomer, it will be the first Sprint weekend at the Dutch GP.
- Marina Bay Street Circuit (Singapore) – also makes its Sprint debut in 2026.
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Venues Dropping Out
While new tracks are added, some familiar Sprint venues will not feature in 2026. Circuits such as Austin (USA), Interlagos (Brazil), Qatar, and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) will return to the traditional Grand Prix format without a Sprint race.
Why the Change?
Formula 1 has highlighted that Sprint weekends bring more action and higher TV audiences. In 2024, Sprint weekends saw on average 10% more viewers than standard race weekends. For example, the Shanghai Sprint recorded an 84% increase in live TV audience compared to the 2023 race weekend.
The sport is also testing fan reactions to different circuits. By introducing Sprints in Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore, Formula 1 is adding variety and giving fans in different regions a chance to enjoy the format.
Conclusion
The number of Sprint weekends remains at six for 2026, but Formula 1 is open to expanding the format in the future. Discussions are ongoing about having 10 to 12 Sprint races per season from 2027 onwards, along with possible change in the format.
With major regulation changes also coming in 2026, including new engine and car rules, Sprint races will add an extra layer of unpredictability to the championship.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
