Formula 1 Announces New Sprint Races for 2026

Formula One, in conjunction with the FIA, has announced the 2026 Sprint Race calendar, which features some new additions. The season will feature a total of 6 Sprint Races, with 3 of these being at brand new locations that have never hosted a Sprint Race before. Along with these debut Sprint locations, the calendar also sees the return of a location after a 5-year hiatus under new regulations.

(Image credit to XPB Images)

What are Sprint Races?

Becoming a part of Formula 1 in 2021, Sprint Race weekends include a second qualifying session and a miniature race. This short race is equal to a third of the total race distance and takes place on the second day of the race weekend, Saturday. The top 8 finishers in the Sprint Race receive championship points spanning from 8 to 1. With the new format, Sprint Races have become independent of the Grand Prix, no longer dictating the starting grid for Sunday like they did in previous years. 

 The six races to host Sprint Races in 2026: 

The Chinese Grand Prix:

2026’s Chinese Grand Prix, hosted at the Shanghai International Circuit, will feature a Sprint Race for the 3rd time in its history. The Chinese Grand Prix has previously hosted Sprint Races in 2024 and 2025, making it a strong contender to continue hosting beyond 2026. 

The Miami Grand Prix: 

The second race to host a Sprint Race in 2026 will be the Miami Grand Prix. Added to the Formula 1 calendar in 2022, the Miami International Autodrome has hosted Sprint Races in the past 2 years and will host a 3rd in 2026.

The Canadian Grand Prix:

The Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal will host its first Sprint Race ever in 2026, making it one of the new additions to the 2026 Sprint Race calendar.

The British Grand Prix:

Silverstone has previously hosted a Sprint Race back in 2021, the first year Sprint Races were first launched into Formula 1. But this was under a different format. Now, 5 years later in 2026, the British Grand Prix will host a Sprint Race for the second time.

The Dutch Grand Prix:

One of the new additions to the Sprint Race calendar for 2026 will be the Dutch Grand Prix hosted at Circuit Zandvoort. The Dutch Grand Prix will only host one Sprint Race due to its departure from the Formula One calendar post the 2026 season, despite the track only joining the calendar in 2021. 

The Singapore Grand Prix:

The last race of the season to host a Sprint Race in the 2026 season will be the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit. This makes it the only night race to host a Sprint Race in 2026. 

Article written by Isa Charlton