Discover everything about the Formula 1 Sprint weekend format for the 2025 season.
When and where are the 2025 F1 Sprint events?
Six of the 24 race weekends in the 2025 season will feature the Sprint format:
- March 21-23: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
- May 2-4: Miami Grand Prix, Miami
- July 25-27: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
- October 17-19: United States Grand Prix, Austin
- November 7-9: Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
- November 28-30: Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail
Spa-Francorchamps, which hosted a Sprint in 2023, replaces Austria as the third Sprint venue this year. The other five locations remain the same.
What is the F1 Sprint?
The Sprint format, centered around a shorter Saturday race, was introduced to the F1 calendar at select events starting in 2021. The goal was to add more excitement on tracks suitable for overtaking and ensure competitive action for fans attending the circuit and watching on TV throughout the three-day weekend.
Initially held at just three venues per season, the number increased to six in 2023. These weekends feature a modified schedule compared to a standard Grand Prix weekend, including a dedicated Sprint Qualifying session on Friday, followed by a 100km Sprint race on Saturday. This Saturday race offers valuable extra points towards the world championship.
The Sprint Weekend Schedule:
Friday:
- Practice One
- Sprint Qualifying
Saturday:
- Sprint Race
- Grand Prix Qualifying
Sunday:
- Grand Prix
Understanding the 2025 Sprint Weekend Format
The format remains unchanged from the 2024 season.
Sprint weekends start on Friday with a single one-hour free practice session.
This is followed later on Friday by Sprint Qualifying.
Saturday begins with the 100km Sprint race. Later in the day, the main Qualifying session takes place, which determines the grid for Sunday`s Grand Prix.
How Does Sprint Qualifying Work?
The Friday session that sets the grid for the Sprint race follows the same knockout structure as the main qualifying but with shorter time limits to manage engine and tire usage.
- SQ1: 12 minutes
- SQ2: 10 minutes
- SQ3: eight minutes
Teams typically aim for one flying lap per session, though there`s time for two runs in SQ1 and potentially two timed laps without pitting in SQ2 and SQ3.
A key difference between Sprint Qualifying and traditional qualifying is the tire usage restriction in Sprint Shootout.
Drivers must use a single set of tires in each part: mandatory new medium tires in SQ1 and SQ2, and mandatory soft tires (can be used) in SQ3.
Scoring Points in the Sprint Race
The point system for the Sprint race in 2025 is the same as before.
Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in Saturday`s race, totaling 36 points. The distribution is:
- 1st place – 8 points
- 2nd place – 7 points
- 3rd place – 6 points
- 4th place – 5 points
- 5th place – 4 points
- 6th place – 3 points
- 7th place – 2 points
- 8th place – 1 point
These extra points can be crucial throughout the season. For instance, Max Verstappen secured his 2023 world championship title during the Qatar Sprint race on a Saturday.
Are Pit Stops Required During the Sprint?
Pit stops are uncommon during the short Sprint race.
Unlike the main Grand Prix, there is no mandatory tire change. Unless a car sustains damage, gets a puncture, or conditions require it (like rain), drivers typically complete the Sprint without entering the pit lane.
Drivers have the freedom to choose any tire compound – hard, medium, or soft – for the Sprint race.
Car Setup Flexibility During Sprint Weekends
Since the current Sprint schedule was adopted, teams gain a second opportunity to modify their car setups during the weekend.
Cars enter parc fermé conditions at the start of the first competitive session (Sprint Qualifying on Friday). However, these restrictions are lifted after the Sprint race on Saturday.
This allows teams to apply lessons learned and adjust setups before the main Qualifying session begins, after which parc fermé conditions are reimposed until Sunday`s Grand Prix.
