Formula 1’s sprint race format for 2026 remains largely consistent with the previous year, though with one notable adjustment. The primary change involves the elimination criteria during qualifying sessions, where the six slowest competitors will now be dropped after the first two rounds, up from five in the prior season.
The weekend structure follows a familiar pattern at events featuring sprint races. A single practice session on Friday is followed by sprint qualifying, which consists of three segments lasting 12, 10, and 8 minutes respectively. The sprint race itself takes place on Saturday morning, lasting approximately 30 minutes over a set distance of 100 kilometers. At the Dutch Grand Prix in August, this equates to 24 laps beginning at 11:00 BST. Standard qualifying for the main race occurs later Saturday, with the grand prix itself held on Sunday at 14:00.
Point-scoring opportunities extend to the top eight finishers of the sprint competition, with eight points awarded for victory descending to one point for eighth place. These points count toward the drivers’ championship standings. The 2026 calendar includes six sprint events total, with the Dutch Grand Prix hosting the fifth sprint in late August, followed by the final sprint at Singapore in October.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
About the Author
