‘Sprint races for when you want all the drama of the race with half the mileage and twice the confusion’
In 2021, Sprint Races were launched to add excitement and variety to the traditional F1 weekend format.
The race covers 100 km, around one-third of a Grand Prix distance, lasting approximately 30 minutes.
There are no mandatory pit stops; the race is designed to be a flat-out, dynamic race without tyre management.
They are typically held at circuits with high overtaking potential, encouraging close racing.
Points are awarded from 8 for 1st place to 1 for 8th, incentivising aggressive racing.
Race Weekend Schedule:
Friday: A traditional qualifying session, usually referred to as Sprint Qualifying, sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint.
Saturday: The results of the Sprint Race determine the grid positions for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Sunday: The Grand Prix race follows the traditional format and points system.
The Sprint format encourages more overtaking and flat-out racing without
tyre and fuel conservation.
Teams must balance earning points on Saturday with car preservation for Sunday’s race.
Mishaps in the Sprint can impact grid positions and car availability for the main race.
Fans enjoy the added day of competitive racing.
Initially trialled on select weekends, it has extended due to popularity, enriching the F1 calendar and attracting newer audiences.
F1 Sprint Races blends traditional racing with modern excitement, adding layers to strategy and spectacle while appealing to a broader fan base.
‘Watching a Sprint race is like catching the trailer before the film: exciting, and hopefully there’s more to come.’
