Formula 1 has officially announced the venues for the Sprint events in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, while also hinting at potential format changes for 2027. The 2026 season marks the sixth year of the Sprint format and will coincide with the introduction of new regulations to the sport.
For 2026, the six selected venues are Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore. Shanghai and Miami will host a Sprint weekend for the third consecutive year. Silverstone is set to host a Sprint for the first time since the format's debut in 2021. Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore will all host their first ever Sprint weekend. Notably, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will be the last for the foreseeable future, as the organizers have decided against renewing their contract after 2026.
The Sprint format, since its introduction in 2021, has continued to evolve. The current format features one free practice session followed by Sprint Qualifying on Friday. Saturday sees the Sprint race itself, followed by qualifying for the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in the Sprint, adding further incentive for drivers and teams to compete.
Formula 1 is considering increasing the number of Sprint races from six to potentially ten per season starting in 2027. This potential expansion is driven by the perceived success of the Sprint format in increasing viewership and fan engagement. TV viewership for Sprint weekends in 2024 was, on average, 10% higher than non-Sprint weekends. The sport has seen a continued upward trend in viewership during the first three Sprint weekends of the 2025 season. For example, the Shanghai Sprint, which saw Lewis Hamilton's first win with Ferrari, had an 84% increase in live TV audience across Formula 1's top 15 markets compared to the previous year's event. The Miami Grand Prix Sprint, won by Lando Norris, attracted 26.6 million TV viewers, an 18% increase year-over-year.
F1's CEO Stefano Domenicali has expressed his support for expanding the Sprint format, noting that it creates more talking points from Friday onward and appeals to a wider audience compared to traditional practice sessions. He has even hinted at a future where all race weekends follow a standardized format, though acknowledges that this may take time to implement.
While the Sprint format has garnered support, it has also faced criticism. Some argue that it disrupts the traditional Grand Prix weekend structure and detracts from the anticipation of Sunday's main race. Others, particularly race promoters, view it as a success due to the increased excitement and engagement for fans across all three days.
The decision to potentially increase the number of Sprint races in 2027 will require consensus among key stakeholders, including commercial rights holder FOM, the FIA, and the teams. Discussions are expected to continue to determine the optimal number of Sprint events and potential further refinements to the format.
