In the week leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the FIA unveiled the F1 2026 Sprint calendar. 2026 might just be one of the most highly-anticipated seasons in F1 history. With new regulations to be introduced, an eleventh team, and two familiar faces making their comebacks to motorsport’s top step, why not add six Sprint races into the mix?
As in 2025, six iconic venues will host Sprint weekends for the 2026 season. Shanghai and Miami are included in the Sprint calendar for three years running, while the Silverstone Sprint returns for the first time since the Sprint format’s debut in 2021. Three venues are set to host their first Sprint weekends in the sixth year of the format.
The Sprint Format in 2026
The format remains unchanged for the 2026 season, after it was revamped in 2024. This saw Sprint Qualifying moved to Friday and the Sprint race to the first event on Saturday, separating the Sprint from the Grand Prix. A notable change was also the reopening of parc fermé restrictions after the Sprint race. This allows teams to make car setup changes before Grand Prix Qualifying.
Compared to a traditional race weekend which sees Practice 1 and 2 occur on Friday, Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday, the Sprint weekend consists of only one practice session on Friday. After Free Practice, Sprint Qualifying takes place to determine the starting grid for the Sprint race on Saturday. The top eight finishers of the Sprint can earn themselves up to eight points. The winning driver achieves the maximum eight points, 2nd place receives seven, and this continues all the way down to the driver who finishes 8th gaining just a single point. The Sprint race is followed by Qualifying for Sunday’s race.
The F1 2026 Sprint Calendar
Three venues are lucky enough to return to Sprint hosting duties in 2026; Shanghai and Miami are the only two to remain from the 2025 season, hosting their third consecutive Sprint events. Silverstone makes the headlines by returning to Sprint action after a five year absence. Spa, Austin, São Paulo and Lusail make way for three newcomers. Montréal, Zandvoort and Marina Bay join the F1 Sprint hall of fame, making their Sprint hosting debuts in 2026.
F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has spoken following the unveiling of the F1 2026 Sprint calendar. He explains the significance of adding three new venues for the 2026 season:
“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.”
With next year’s Sprint venues consisting of a mix of old and new, there is always a risk with introducing new tracks. They are entering unknown territory, suggesting potential for races to be chaotic or boring if they don’t meet the expectations of a typical Sprint event. It is interesting to try and understand why the FIA made these specific choices. Let’s take a closer look at the six circuits providing the most racing action next season.
The Returners
The Chinese GP, Shanghai: 13-15 March
The Shanghai Sprint returns for a third consecutive season at the Shanghai International Circuit. Once again, it will host the first Sprint event of the season, setting high expectations for the five other Sprint weekends.
China has fast become a fan favourite, after this year’s Sprint in Shanghai provided a monumental moment in the career of one of the modern greats in F1. In his first season in red, Sir Lewis Hamilton claimed a record-breaking Sprint pole position, ahead of his old rival, Max Verstappen.
Hamilton converted pole into his first taste of victory with the Tifosi with a dominant display in Saturday’s Sprint race, adding to his tally of wins in China.
A memorable moment like Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari win will remain with fans for a long time. It’s almost a no brainer to continue the legacy of the Shanghai Sprint after this. Moreover, it has been concluded that this year’s Shanghai Sprint saw an 84% increase in the live TV audience across F1’s top 15 markets in comparison to last year’s event. May we witness another Hamilton masterclass in 2026?
The Miami GP, Miami: 1-3 May
After only making its debut in F1 in May 2022, the Miami International Autodrome will feature the Sprint for a third consecutive year. The temporary track – situated within the grounds of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium – has quickly built a reputation of providing fans with flat-out racing and exciting on-track battles.
The 2025 Miami Sprint race set a new viewership record for F1 since the introduction of the format in 2021. It was watched by 26.6 million TV viewers, an 18% increase on the previous year. Sprint Qualifying saw Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli take his first pole position in his rookie season in F1. This achievement has made him the youngest ever pole sitter in F1 history.
Embed from Getty ImagesKimi Antonelli receiving his F1 Miami Sprint pole position award from Director of Pirelli, Mario Isola / Credit: Zak Mauger/LAT Images
The dramatic Sprint — which took place in wet conditions and featured a late Safety Car — was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Miami has well and truly made its mark within the F1 calendar. The star-studded event attracts global stars from the world of motorsport and beyond, as well as huge sponsorship deals. With this in mind, and the track providing multiple overtaking opportunities, it makes sense for Miami to continue hosting the Sprint in years to come.
The British GP, Silverstone: 3-5 July
Silverstone made history as the first circuit to host a Sprint race back in 2021. The inaugural F1 Sprint was won by Verstappen, who triumphed over Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes. The original Sprint format meant that Verstappen earned himself three points and pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix. This has since been adapted so that separate Qualifying sessions take place for each race to determine the starting grids.
Embed from Getty ImagesSir Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas competing in the F1 2021 British GP Sprint race at Silverstone / Credit: Adrian Dennis/AFP
British fans in particular will be eagerly anticipating the return of the Sprint to one of motorsports most historic circuits. The British GP is an F1 classic. It ranks as one of the highest-attended races on the entire calendar, appealing to fans from across the globe. The track holds a reputation of being one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, with corners like Maggots and Becketts providing some of the toughest challenges for drivers.
The distance of a typical Sprint race is 100 kilometres, with no mandatory pit stops required. Pair this with the mighty pace required to be competitive at this iconic track, Silverstone makes for a thrilling Sprint spectacle.
The Newcomers
The Canadian GP, Montréal: 22-24 May
The first of the new additions to the F1 2026 Sprint calendar is the Canadian GP. Hosted at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, the circuit is a firm favourite amongst drivers.
The track is quite stop-start, with lots of heavy-braking chicanes. However, it is also fast with low-downforce, with cars flying fiercely out of corners. Not to forget the infamous “Wall of Champions” at the exit of the final chicane. Montréal has all the aspects to make for an action-packed Sprint race.
The 2025 Canadian GP is perhaps most memorable for Norris’ retirement in the latter stages of the race. Norris attempted to overtake his teammate and title rival, Oscar Piastri, as they came down the pit straight. He was reminded why this isn’t a typical place for overtaking, as he tried to force his way through a gap on the inside which wasn’t there. This resulted in him colliding with the back of car number 81. Canada has the potential to make a great Sprint event, as it is never short of drama.
The Dutch GP, Zandvoort: 21-23 August
The Dutch GP at the legendary Zandvoort Circuit will kick off the second leg of the 2026 F1 season, following the end of the summer break. There are, however, two changes to note.
Firstly, the Dutch army will finally get to witness the Sprint held here. On a sadder note, it will be a last hoorah in the Netherlands, with the circuit leaving the F1 calendar after 2026. Why not go out with a bang with a Sprint weekend at Zandvoort’s last F1 event for the foreseeable future.
Tickets for the 2026 Dutch GP are very much in demand. Understandably, due to it being the last time F1 cars will go racing around the iconic banked corners. Even more so with Sprint races becoming increasingly popular amongst fans old and new. The Dutch GP isn’t just a normal race weekend; it’s an event which has become known for its fan experience. The Sprint weekend is the perfect addition for writing the final chapter of Zandvoort’s F1 story.
Embed from Getty ImagesMax Verstappen driving the RB16B at the F1 2021 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort / Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
The Singapore GP, Marina Bay: 9-11 October
The F1 2026 Sprint season finale will be hosted at the Marina Bay Circuit for the very first time. Fans will have to get used to seeing the drivers race in the daylight for the Sprint. However, Qualifying for the GP follows under the lights.
The drivers are in for a challenging weekend. With the Singapore GP placing towards the end of the calendar, fatigue will begin to set in. They will need to ensure they are fit and focused ahead of facing the physically demanding conditions. This street track features 23 corners, meaning drivers are in a constant battle with their steering wheels. Paired with the extreme humidity and bumpy street surface, Singapore is one of the most physically and mentally gruelling circuits in F1. Adding a high-speed event like the Sprint into the mix increases the overall intensity of the weekend.
Embed from Getty ImagesStarting grid for the F1 2023 Singapore GP at Marina Bay Street Circuit / Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images
However, the circuit has undergone several changes over the past year to ensure its suitability for hosting its first Sprint. The former trio of corners leading into the tunnel has been replaced by a straight section with an extra DRS zone. It is intended that this will increase overtaking opportunities – crucial for the short and high-speed format of the Sprint.
The Countdown to F1 2026 Begins Now
With only seven rounds left of the 2025 season, attention is beginning to turn towards next season. It is sure to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in the modern era of F1. The outcome of the new technical regulations and 100% advanced sustainable fuels coming into play is eagerly anticipated.
The Australian GP at Albert Park will once again host the season opener, kicking off the 2026 season on the weekend of March 6-8. Racing resumes at a fast pace, with a double-header for rounds 1 and 2 treating fans after a long wait. The Chinese GP – the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season – will take place in Shanghai the following weekend, March 13-15.
Is it too early to start making predictions for 2026?
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Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool