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 2025 season includes not three, but six sprint races. With this year 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 the 2024 and 2025 season’s sprint races.

1) F1 Sprint Races points
2) F1 Sprint Races rules
3) How long are the F1 Sprint Races
4) F1 Sprint Races 2024
5) F1 Sprint Races 2025

What is ‘F1 Sprint Race’ 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 top spot. A race weekend with a sprint race does look different from one without. This is because the sprint qualifying takes place on Friday. This is a shortened version of the ‘normal’ qualifying session.

The Sprint Race itself is on Saturday. 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.

The rules for F1 Sprint events have evolved significantly since their introduction in 2021. The outcome of the Saturday Sprint no longer directly determines the starting grid for Sunday’s main race. Instead, the grid for the Grand Prix is decided by the results of the ‘regular’ qualifying session. The Sprint race now stands as an independent event, offering points to the top eight finishers without influencing the Grand Prix starting order.

While drivers who crash during the Sprint face the same consequences as in a regular race—potentially starting the main event from the pit lane or lower positions due to repairs—teams do receive an additional budget allowance to cover damages incurred during the Sprint. This ensures that teams can remain competitive without undue financial strain. Despite these rule refinements, the core excitement of the Sprint race remains, with drivers competing at the same circuits and speeds as in the Grand Prix.

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 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.

F1 Sprint Races 2024

The 2024 season featured six different sprint races on the F1 agenda. These are at the Chinese, Miami, Austrian, USA, Brazilian and Qatar Grand Prix.

Below is an overview of the dates of the F1 Sprint Races:

F1 Sprint Races 2025

For Sprint Races fans, there is good news: they will be back again in the 2025 season! For the upcoming season there will be six sprints again. These are at the Grand Prix of China, Miami, Belgium, USA, Brazil, and Qatar. Below is an overview of the upcoming season’s sprint races.

How cool would it be to experience the excitement of an F1 sprint race live? Keep an eye on the 2025 offer and get your tickets to your favorite race.

Tickets Formula 1 2025