How does the F1 sprint race work?
A race of about 100 km, with no compulsory pit stop and points for the top eight. What a sprint weekend looks like and what decides Sunday's grid.
Summary
- The sprint is a race of about 100 km (a third of a Grand Prix), around 30 minutes, with no compulsory pit stop.
- The top eight score: from 8 points to 1.
- The sprint result does not decide Sunday's grid: Saturday's qualifying does.
Step by step
What it is
A short race: about 100 km, roughly a third of a Grand Prix and around 30 minutes.
No compulsory stop
You do not have to pit, so it is usually a race of pace and fighting on track.
Points
The top eight score: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1.
The weekend
On Friday there is one practice session and sprint qualifying; on Saturday, the sprint and normal qualifying; on Sunday, the Grand Prix.
Where to see it on Formuradar
Did you get it?
Glossary
- Sprint
- A short race of about 100 km (around 30 minutes) held at some weekends, with no compulsory pit stop and points for the top eight.
- Starting grid
- The race starting order, which comes from qualifying: the fastest starts first.
Sources
- The sprint lasts around 30 minutes (about 100 km), has no compulsory pit stop and gives points to the top eight. Red Bull · F1 sprint format: everything you need to know
- On Friday there is practice and sprint qualifying; on Saturday, the sprint and qualifying; on Sunday, the Grand Prix. The sprint result does not set Sunday's grid. McLaren · Guide to the F1 sprint (2026)
- Sources disagree on details such as the number of free-practice sessions and which circuits are new in 2026: for the exact calendar, check the official calendar. McLaren · Guide to the F1 sprint (2026)
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Valid for: 2026 season. The explanations are popular-level: for the exact rules, check the FIA sporting regulations.
Keep learning
25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1: the points of the top ten in a race, the eight in the sprint and what happened to the fastest-lap point.
The 2026 qualifying in three rounds: with 22 cars, Q1 eliminates 6, Q2 another 6 and 10 fight for pole. And what changes between the grid and the first lap.