Sprint weekends compress the usual three-day Grand Prix into something faster and less forgiving: only one practice session, two qualifying sessions and two races. First introduced in 2021 and reworked several times since, the format now has a settled shape — but it is still the part of the calendar that confuses the most viewers. Here is exactly how a sprint weekend runs.

The sprint weekend schedule

A conventional weekend has three practice sessions, then qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday. A sprint weekend rearranges everything:

  • Friday: one practice session (FP1), followed by sprint qualifying.
  • Saturday: the sprint race, followed by traditional qualifying for the Grand Prix.
  • Sunday: the Grand Prix, as normal.

The loss of two practice sessions is the format’s hidden drama. Teams arrive with one hour to set up the car before it is locked into parc fermé conditions, which punishes anyone who guesses wrong and rewards teams with strong simulation tools.

Sprint qualifying: SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3

Sprint qualifying uses the same knockout logic as normal qualifying but with shorter sessions — 12, 10 and 8 minutes — and mandatory tyre compounds: medium tyres in SQ1 and SQ2, softs in SQ3. The mandatory compounds stop the biggest teams simply outspending rivals on fresh soft tyres and add a strategic layer, because a driver’s allocation of mediums has to last through Friday and be considered for Sunday.

The sprint race

The sprint itself covers roughly 100km — about a third of a Grand Prix distance — and typically lasts around half an hour. There is no mandatory pit stop and no requirement to use two tyre compounds, so it is usually a flat-out race on a single set of tyres from lights to flag. Points go to the top eight finishers: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. These count towards both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, as our points system guide explains.

How the grids are set

This is the part that changed most. In the original 2021 format the sprint result set the Sunday grid, which meant drivers raced cautiously to protect their starting position. Since 2023 the two have been separated: sprint qualifying sets the sprint grid, and the standalone Saturday qualifying sets the Grand Prix grid. A driver can crash out of the sprint and still start the Grand Prix from pole.

Parc fermé on sprint weekends

Because qualifying for the Grand Prix happens after the sprint, teams get a brief window to change set-up between the sprint and Saturday qualifying — a concession introduced in 2024 so that a mistaken Friday set-up does not ruin the whole weekend. Cars are then locked in again for Sunday.

Which rounds are sprint weekends?

Six rounds of the 2026 calendar run the sprint format. They tend to be circuits where overtaking is possible and where a short race produces genuine action — the format has never been tried at Monaco, for obvious reasons. You can see which weekends are sprints in our 2026 calendar guide.

Why the sprint divides opinion

Supporters point to more meaningful track time on Friday and Saturday, more points on offer and a second chance for drivers to race. Critics argue that the format dilutes the prestige of the Grand Prix, that a 100km race with no strategy rarely produces much overtaking, and that reduced practice punishes smaller teams. Formula 1’s position is that sprint weekends draw higher attendance and viewing figures on days that were previously quiet, and the format is now a permanent fixture rather than an experiment.

Frequently asked questions

How long is an F1 sprint race?

Roughly 100km — about a third of a Grand Prix — typically around 30 minutes, with no mandatory pit stop.

How many points does the sprint award?

The top eight score 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points, counting towards both championships.

Does the sprint result set the Grand Prix grid?

No. Since 2023 the sprint is standalone; the Sunday grid comes from the separate Saturday qualifying session.

How many sprint weekends are there in 2026?

Six rounds of the 2026 calendar use the sprint format.