Records

How many laps is an F1 race? The laps of every 2026 Grand Prix: from Spa's 44 to Monaco's 78

An F1 race has between 44 and 78 laps depending on the circuit. 2026 adds up to 1,221 laps in 20 Grands Prix, 61 on average. The rule: the minimum distance that exceeds 305 km is raced.

«How many laps is an F1 race?» is one of the most repeated questions. The short answer: it depends on the circuit, between 44 and 78 laps. Here are the laps of every 2026 Grand Prix, ranked, with the rule that decides them.

44
laps in Belgium (Spa), the fewest
78
laps in Monaco, the most
61
laps per GP on average in 2026
1.221
race laps in 20 GP

Race laps of each 2026 GP

  1. Monaco78
  2. Netherlands72
  3. Austria71
  4. Mexico City71
  5. Brazil71
  6. Hungary70
  7. Canada68
  8. Barcelona-Catalunya66
  9. Singapore62
  10. Australia58
  11. Spain57
  12. Miami57
  13. China56
  14. United States56
  15. Bahrain (in Malaysia)55
  16. Japan53
  17. Italy53
  18. Great Britain52
  19. Azerbaijan51
  20. Belgium44

Why does each GP have a different number of laps?

The FIA Sporting Regulations set the distance of a race as the smallest whole number of laps that exceeds 305 km. A short circuit like Monaco (3.3 km) needs many laps and a long one like Spa (7 km) few. Monaco is the exception: its race is run over 260 km, which is why it has 78 laps and not 92.

How long does an F1 race last?

Almost all last between 1 h 20 min and 1 h 45 min. The regulation limit is two clock hours (three if there is a red flag), and if it is reached before the scheduled laps, the race ends when the current lap is completed.

Laps and stops

More laps does not mean more stops: Monaco, with 78, had the highest 2026 average (3.9 stops per driver), and Shanghai, with 56, the lowest. We explain it in the pit-stops story.

Frequently asked questions

How many laps is an F1 race?

Between 44 (Belgium) and 78 (Monaco) in 2026, 61 on average: the race is run over the smallest number of laps that exceeds 305 km.

How many laps does the Monaco GP have?

78, over 260 km: Monaco is the exception to the 305 km distance.

What is the maximum length of an F1 race?

Two clock hours; up to three if interrupted by a red flag.

Sources

Figures and quotes come from the linked sources and may have changed since.

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