Formula 1 just dropped its 2026 Sprint calendar, and it’s shaking things up in a big way. The Sprint format, which is basically a quick-fire 100 km race (about a third of a normal Grand Prix) lasting roughly half an hour, will pop up at six races next season.
This shorter race has become a fan favourite since it launched back in 2021, offering more wheel-to-wheel action over the weekend instead of waiting until Sunday for the real fireworks.
The chosen six for 2026 are a mix of familiar and brand-new stops, Shanghai (China), Miami (USA), Montreal (Canada), Silverstone (Great Britain), Zandvoort (Netherlands), and Singapore. Shanghai and Miami are sticking around from recent seasons, while Silverstone is making a comeback after last hosting a Sprint during its 2021 debut year.
The fresh faces? Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore, all getting their first-ever Sprint weekends according to Tereza Hořínková of Formula 1.
This mix feels deliberate, spreading the high-stakes Saturday drama across different continents and time zones. It should make for some pretty electric weekends, especially with Montreal’s early-season slot in May potentially throwing unpredictable weather into the mix.
Who Got Cut From the Formula 1 2026 Sprint Calendar
Of course, adding new tracks means some had to get the boot, and two big names are missing from the Sprint party. Interlagos in Brazil and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (USA) have both lost their Sprint status for 2026. That’s a bit of a shocker considering Interlagos has usually delivered barnstorming Sprint races, with its unpredictable weather and punchy layout.
As for Austin, it’s been a fan-favourite stop on the U.S. leg of the tour, so its absence will sting a bit for American fans. That said, having Miami carry the Sprint torch for the U.S. might help keep the excitement alive stateside while tightening up the travel logistics for teams.
The calendar is already packed with 24 races next year, so trimming some travel-heavy back-and-forth probably saves everyone a headache.
Interestingly, Zandvoort’s Sprint weekend will be its last hurrah; the Dutch Grand Prix is set to disappear from the schedule after 2026, which makes its inclusion this year feel like a proper farewell party.
Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem Weigh In on the 2026 Formula 1 Sprint Calendar
“Sprint format has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021.” said President and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali. He explained that having four competitive sessions in one weekend “offers more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters, driving increased attendance and viewership.”
He also shared some new news: Gatorade has joined as an Official Partner of F1 Sprint. Domenicali called this a sign of the “huge interest in the event from an iconic global brand.” Looking ahead, he said the 2026 season will bring a “new era of regulations,” and having three new Sprint venues “will only add to the drama on track.”
He also thanked the FIA, race promoters, teams, volunteers, and local clubs for helping the Sprint format grow.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, shared the same excitement. He said the Sprint format has become “an increasingly exciting part of the FIA Formula One World Championship” and fits with their bigger plans for the sport’s future.
He also said the mix of new and returning venues shows how much support there is from promoters, teams, and fans. Sulayem promised that the FIA will keep working with everyone to make sure the Sprint “enhances the championship” and gives fans even more to enjoy.
How the Formula 1 Sprint Format Will Work in 2026
Despite all the venue shuffling, the actual Sprint weekend format isn’t changing. Fridays will still feature one free practice session and Sprint qualifying. Saturdays stay as the action-packed double-header with the Sprint race first, then standard Grand Prix qualifying later in the day. And Sunday remains the main event with the full-distance Grand Prix.
With six Sprint weekends across a 24-race season, about a quarter of the calendar will feature this bite-sized showdown. The whole point is to give fans more on-track action, and honestly, it’s working. Sprints have been known to favour circuits where overtaking is tricky during full-length races, making them a great equaliser and injecting a bit of chaos into the order.
All told, the 2026 Sprint lineup looks like a bold remix of the old formula, a nod to what’s worked before, with just enough new energy to keep fans on their toes.