Formula One sprint race schedule is revealed for 2026 – with British Grand Prix staging one of six in boost for Silverstone
Silverstone will stage its first sprint race for five years after Formula One bosses revealed the six-round schedule for 2026.
Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore will join Britain in hosting a shortened-format race.
Silverstone staged F1’s first ever sprint in 2021 but has not been on the schedule since.
Next year’s British Grand Prix, one of 24 rounds on the calendar, will take place across the first weekend of July.
F1 chiefs are in discussions with the FIA and the grid’s teams and drivers about expanding the sprint roster – possibly to as many as 12 – from 2027, with data from last year indicating TV viewership was on average 10 per cent greater than a non-sprint weekend.
The format could also be tinkered, with reverse grids mooted as an idea.
Lando Norris won his home British grand Prix this season and there could be a sprint next year
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali said: ‘The F1 sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021.
‘With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional Grand Prix weekend, F1 sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters – driving increased attendance and viewership.
‘The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations, so having three new sprint venues (Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore) will only add to the drama on track’.
Max Verstappen won the first sprint race held at Silverstone in 2021 and has won 12 of the 21 held in total.
Valtteri Bottas, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have all won two, with George Russell, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton all claiming one each.
