When is the next F1 sprint race? 2026 calendar and schedule
The 2026 Formula 1 season features six sprint races, beginning at the Chinese Grand Prix in March. See the full sprint schedule for this season, as well as circuit guides and details on the format
China hosts a sprint weekend again in 2026
Grand Prix Photo
The next Formula 1 sprint race takes place at the Chinese Grand Prix. It will be the first of six sprints scheduled for 2026, with further rounds to follow in Miami, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore.
The shorter Saturday format has had its detractors over the years, but it has repeatedly shown it can deliver entertainment and unpredictability. The 2026 calendar marks a significant shake-up compared to recent seasons, with Belgium, Austin, Brazil, and Qatar all losing their sprint weekends.
In their place, Canada, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and the Marina Bay street circuit join Shanghai and Miami as the six sprint venues.
Given the competitiveness of the 2026 grid following the new regulations, the eight points on offer for a sprint victory could prove decisive in the championship battle.
Read more on how the event works in our F1 sprint race guide.
2026 Formula 1 sprint race schedule
| Date | Race | Circuit | 2026 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 March | Chinese Grand Prix | Shanghai International Circuit | TBC |
| 3 May | Miami Grand Prix | Miami International Autodrome | TBC |
| 24 May | Canadian Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | TBC |
| 5 July | British Grand Prix | Silverstone | TBC |
| 23 August | Dutch Grand Prix | Zandvoort | TBC |
| 11 October | Singapore Grand Prix | Marina Bay Street Circuit | TBC |
Next F1 sprint race of 2026: Chinese GP Grand Prix
🇨🇳 Shanghai
Date – March 13-15, 2026
Sprint race laps – 19
Lap record – Michael Schumacher, 1min 32.238sec (2004)
Full 2026 F1 sprint race results and schedule
1. Chinese Grand Prix 🇨🇳
Shanghai International Circuit: 13-15 March 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time | GMT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 13 March | 11.30am | 3.30am |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 13 March | 3.30pm | 7.30am |
| Sprint | Saturday 14 March | 11am | 3am |
| Qualifying | Saturday 14 March | 3pm | 7am |
| Race | Sunday 15 March | 3pm | 7am |
Sprint winner: TBC
2. Miami Grand Prix 🇺🇸
Miami International Autodrome: 1-3 May 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time | BST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 1 May | 12.30pm | 5.30pm |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 1 May | 4.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Sprint | Saturday 2 May | 12pm | 5pm |
| Qualifying | Saturday 2 May | 4pm | 9pm |
| Race | Sunday 3 May | 4pm | 9pm |
Sprint winner: TBC
3. Canadian Grand Prix 🇨🇦
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: 22-24 May 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time | BST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 22 May | 12.30pm | 5.30pm |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 22 May | 4.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Sprint | Saturday 23 May | 12pm | 5pm |
| Qualifying | Saturday 23 May | 4pm | 9pm |
| Race | Sunday 24 May | 4pm | 9pm |
Sprint winner: TBC
4. British Grand Prix 🇬🇧
Silverstone: 3-5 July 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time (BST) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 3 July | 12.30 | |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 3 July | 16:30 | |
| Sprint | Saturday 4 July | 12:00 | |
| Qualifying | Saturday 4 July | 16:00 | |
| Race | Sunday 5 July | 15:00 | |
Sprint winner: TBC
5. Dutch Grand Prix 🇳🇱
Circuit Zandvoort: 21-23 August 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time | BST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 21 August | 12.30pm | 11:.30am |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 21 August | 4.30pm | 3.30pm |
| Sprint | Saturday 22 August | 12pm | 11am |
| Qualifying | Saturday 22 August | 4pm | 3pm |
| Race | Sunday 23 August | 3pm | 2pm |
Sprint winner: TBC
6. Singapore Grand Prix 🇸🇬
Marina Bay Street Circuit: 9-11 October 2026
| Session | Date | Local Time | BST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Friday 9 October | 4.30pm | 9.30am |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday 9 October | 8.30 | 1.30pm |
| Sprint | Saturday 10 October | 5pm | 10am |
| Qualifying | Saturday 10 October | 9pm | 2pm |
| Race | Sunday 11 October | 8pm | 1pm |
Sprint winner: TBC
2026 F1 sprint race format
The sprint race format was introduced with the aim of adding more excitement to a grand prix weekend and, at least in terms of anticipation building through the event, it does do that.
On a conventional GP weekend two Friday practice sessions are followed by a third preceding qualifying on Saturday – with no racing happening till Sunday.
However on a sprint weekend the competitive action revs up on a Friday afternoon with sprint qualifying after just a single practice session, giving drivers little time to prepare or get their car set up.
The sprint race then happens on Saturday prior to grand prix qualifying for the main race.
F1 sprint points system
In a sprint race, fewer points are awarded than in a grand prix. The top eight finishers score, with the winner receiving eight points down to one point for eighth place.
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8 |
| 2nd | 7 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 4 |
| 6th | 3 |
| 7th | 2 |
| 8th | 1 |
| 9th+ | 0 |