F1 Sprint Race: What is it and how does it work?
Written by Bjorn Slootweg
F1 Sprint Race: What is it and how does it work?
F1 sprint races are back this season too. Three sprint races were held for the first time in the 2021 season, and Formula 1’s 2022 season again includes three sprint races. Only this year with even more speed, even more excitement and even more points. In this blog, we explain the main rules, how the points are distributed and give you an overview of this season’s sprint races.
1) F1 Sprint Races points
2) F1 Sprint Races rules
3) How long are the F1 Sprint Races
4) Were and when do the Sprint Races take place
5) Sprint Races F1 2023
What is ‘F1 Sprint Race qualifying’ and how does it work?
A Formula 1 sprint race is like a shortened version of a regular race. Formula 1 wants to build more excitement into a race weekend with these sprints. In about a third of the laps, the drivers fight for the first starting spot. A race weekend with a sprint race does look different from one without. This is because qualifying for the sprint race takes place on Friday. This works the same as a ‘normal’ qualifying session.
The Sprint Race itself is on Saturday, in the afternoon. The sprint differs from a classic race in two ways. We already mentioned that it is shorter : during a Sprint Race, the pilots drive about a third of the laps they do at the Grand Prix. In addition, pit stops and tyre changes are not mandatory.
F1 Sprint Race points
Again this year, drivers will be able to earn some points in the sprint races. However, this is going to be different from last year. Back then, the points were distributed only among the first three places. The points for the 2022 sprint races are for number 1 to 8. The driver who finishes in first place during the sprint race gets 8 points, number 2 gets 7 points, number 3 gets 6 points and so on up to eighth place. This is more points than last season and might be a gamechanger in the competition.
The points distribution for the F1 Sprint Races is as follows:
Points F1 Sprint Race
| Place | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 8 points |
| 2nd | 7 points |
| 3rd | 6 points |
| 4th | 5 points |
| 5th | 4 points |
| 6th | 3 points |
| 7th | 2 points |
| 8th | 1 point |
F1 Sprint Race rules
In terms of rules, there is another change from the 2021 season. The winner of the Saturday sprint race will be allowed to start in first position in the Sunday race. In fact, the final order of the Sprint race is also the starting order of the Sunday race. However, the winner of the sprint race will not get an official pole position to his name. This is for the winner of the Friday’s sprint race qualifying.
Drivers who crash during the F1 Sprint Races face the same consequences as in a ‘normal’ race. They simply have to start from the backfield. However, Formula 1 teams do get extra budget if there is damage to the car. So there are slightly different rules, but the same circuit and speeds.
How long are the F1 Sprint Races
The F1 Sprint Races are about a third the length of Sunday’s GP races. In 100 kilometres, the drivers compete with each other for the first starting spot. And you don’t have to plan a whole afternoon off to watch the sprint races, as the approximate time it takes is 25-30 minutes. A short time in which a lot can happen, so excitement is guaranteed.
Where and when do the Sprint Races take place
The 2022 season featured three different sprint qualifying races on the F1 agenda. These are at the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian and Brazilian Grand Prix.
Below is an overview of the dates of the F1 Sprint Races:
| Race | Date Sprint Race | Date Grand Prix | Winner Sprint Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Emilia-Romagna | 23 April 2022 | 24 April 2022 | Max Verstappen |
| Grand Prix Austria | 9 July 2022 | 10 July 2022 | Max Verstappen |
| Grand Prix Brazil | 12 November 2022 | 13 November 2022 | George Russell |
Sprint Races F1 2023
For Sprint Races fans, there is good news: they will be back again in season 2023! For the upcoming season, the number has been doubled, from three to six sprints. Where and when they will be is not yet known, but that they will be there is certain. These are at the Grand Prix of Baku, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, USA, and Brazil. Below is an overview of the upcoming season’s sprint races.
| Race | Date Sprint Race | Date Grand Prix |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Azerbaijan | 29 April 2023 | 30 April 2023 |
| Grand Prix Austria | 29 June 2023 | 30 June 2023 |
| Grand Prix Belgium | 27 July 2023 | 28 July 2023 |
| Grand Prix Qatar | 7 October 2023 | 8 October 2023 |
| Grand Prix USA | 21 October 2023 | 22 October 2023 |
| Grand Prix Brazil | 4 November 2023 | 5 November 2023 |
How cool would it be to experience the excitement of an F1 sprint race live… Keep an eye on the 2023 offer and get your tickets to your favorite race.
