What is the Sprint Race in Formula 1?
The Sprint Race is a mini-race of about 100 km (roughly one third of a Grand Prix distance) held on Saturday at certain F1 weekends. It awards championship points and has its own qualifying session.
Sprint weekend format
| Day | Session |
|---|---|
| Friday | Free Practice 1 + Sprint Qualifying |
| Saturday | Sprint Race + GP Qualifying |
| Sunday | Grand Prix |
Unlike a normal weekend (3 free practice sessions), a Sprint weekend has just one practice. Drivers have far less time to fine-tune the car.
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Ver App GratisSprint points
Only the top 8 score:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8 |
| 2nd | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 4 |
| 6th | 3 |
| 7th | 2 |
| 8th | 1 |
These points count for both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship, on top of the Sunday GP points.
Specific rules
- No mandatory tyre change: most cars finish without pitting.
- Same car as Sunday: setup can't change between Sprint and GP under parc fermé.
- Penalties: same as a regular race.
Why it was introduced
The FIA wanted more action through the weekend and a more compelling TV product. Sprints don't replace the Sunday GP, they complement it. The 2026 season keeps 6 to 8 Sprints at selected circuits.
FAQ
Does the Sprint set the Sunday grid? No, not since 2024. The Saturday afternoon GP qualifying sets the Sunday grid.
Can you win the championship with Sprint points? Yes, they are official championship points.
Why do some drivers play it safe in the Sprint? Because a crash also damages the car for Sunday. They have to balance risk against points.
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