How F1 sprint weekends work: sprint qualifying, the sprint race and points

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On a handful of weekends each season, Formula 1 adds a short race on Saturday called the sprint. It gives fans competitive running on all three days instead of mostly practice before Sunday. The format has been changed several times since it was introduced, so this guide describes how it works in the 2026 season.

How a sprint weekend differs from a normal one

A standard Grand Prix weekend has three practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday. A sprint weekend keeps only one practice session and adds two competitive sessions.

The schedule

Friday: one practice session. This is the only free practice of the weekend, so teams have about an hour to find a working set-up.
Friday: sprint qualifying. Run like normal qualifying in three knockout parts, but shorter. It sets the grid for the sprint only.
Saturday: the sprint. A race of about 100 kilometres, usually lasting around half an hour.
Saturday: qualifying. The normal three-part session that sets the grid for Sunday.
Sunday: the Grand Prix. The full race, exactly as on any other weekend.

Points in the sprint

The top eight score. First place earns 8 points, second 7, and so on down to 1 point for eighth.
There is no compulsory pit stop, so most drivers run the whole distance on one set of tyres.
A sprint win is not a Grand Prix win. The top three receive recognition after the sprint, but it is not an official podium and does not count in a driver's tally of race victories.

Set-up and parc ferme

Parc ferme rules limit what teams can change on the car between sessions. Since only one practice session is available, getting the set-up right early matters a great deal. In the current format, teams can adjust the car between the sprint and Grand Prix qualifying, which lets them treat the sprint as a chance to learn and then refine the car for Sunday.

Which races have sprints

There were six sprint weekends on the 2026 calendar. China and Miami kept theirs, and Canada hosted one for the first time. The list changes from year to year, so check the official calendar before planning a trip around one.

Why sprints divide opinion

For them: every day has a session that matters, ticket holders on Friday and Saturday see competitive running, and an extra start adds unpredictability.
Against them: a short race with no stops can turn into a procession, drivers may avoid risks to protect the car before Sunday, and less practice can make the weekend harder for teams that arrive with problems.

Tips for watching a sprint weekend

Pay attention on Friday. Sprint qualifying comes only hours after the only practice, so it reveals who arrived well prepared.
Watch the start of the sprint closely. With no pit stops, positions gained on the opening lap are often kept to the flag.
Do not read too much into the sprint result for Sunday. Teams may change the car before qualifying, and the longer race brings tyre strategy back into play.
Check timings for your time zone. Sessions on sprint weekends are packed close together, and it is easy to miss one.

Do you prefer sprint weekends or the normal format? Share your view or any questions in the comments.