F1 Sprint: Format, circuits, points, qualifying, history and more

Sprint races have become an increasingly popular feature in the Formula 1 calendar and they're set to have a vital input on the 2025 title picture.

Want to know more about the Sprint format and how it works? Look no further; we have all the key details.

What is the F1 Sprint?

Formula 1's Sprint is essentially a short race which covers a total of 100km, approximately one-third of a typical Grand Prix distance.

Introduced with the intention of creating high-octane, frenetic racing without the interference of tyre strategies and pit stops, the Sprint takes place at circuits which are specifically chosen for their overtaking potential.

How does an F1 Sprint race work?

An F1 Sprint race will take place on the Saturday of a Grand Prix weekend, prior to qualifying for the main race on the Sunday.

The grid for the Sprint race is determined by a Sprint qualifying session which takes place on Friday.

The Sprint race itself is just like your typical Grand Prix: drivers compete to win the race, only that the Sprint is over a considerably shorter distance.

While the race distance is only 100km, the Sprint does have a time limit and must be completed within 60 minutes.

As a result of the Sprint sessions, two of the practice sessions which normally feature on a Grand Prix weekend are removed, which increases the pressure on drivers and teams to find the right set-up or risk lacking competitiveness in the Sprint.

Do you get points for winning an F1 Sprint race?

Sprint race points allocation

Points are available to those who finish in the top eight of the Sprint.

A maximum of eight points is on offer to the winner, while each subsequent position receives one less point, with the driver in eighth taking home one point.

Points accrued in the Sprint are included in the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Find out more about the F1 points system here.

How does Sprint qualifying work?

Sprint qualifying is used to determine the gird for the Sprint race.

Adopting the same format to standard qualifying, Sprint qualifying is scheduled on a Friday and is split into three stages. SQ1 lasts 12 minutes, SQ2 lasts 10 minutes and SQ3 has a total duration of eight minutes.

The five slowest drivers in SQ1 are eliminated and form 16th to 20th on the grid. The same process follows in SQ2 where the five slowest drivers drop out, forming 11th to 15th.

Drivers in SQ3 will battle it out for pole position with the top 10 grid slots determined upon conclusion.

Where are the Sprint races in 2025?

A total of six different circuits will host an F1 Sprint in 2025. They are:

• Shanghai (China) - 21-23 March
• Miami (USA) - 2-4 May
• Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) - 25-27 July
• Circuit of the Americas (USA) - 17-19 October
• Interlagos (Brazil) - 7-9 November
• Lusail (Qatar) - 28-30 November

View the full F1 2025 calendar here.

Are there any changes from 2024 Sprint races?

There have been no adjustments made to the F1 Sprint ahead of the 2025 season.

The format has undergone a number of changes since it was first introduced in 2021, including the increased points allocation and scheduling, with Sprint qualifying and the Sprint race now taking place prior to the traditional Grand Prix qualifying and race.