F1 Sprint races: How do they work and are there changes for 2025?… see more
The Sprint race format is making its return at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, continuing to play a key role in the revamped 2025 Formula 1 calendar. Initially launched at the 2021 British Grand Prix, the Sprint format introduced a shorter, fast-paced race held on Saturdays to add more competitive action across the weekend. While it received a mixed reception early on, the format has evolved and now features more prominently in the F1 season.
In 2021 and 2022, just three weekends included Sprint races. However, starting in 2023, F1 doubled that number to six Sprint weekends per season. A further overhaul came in 2024, when the format was adjusted to make the Sprint a standalone event. Under this updated structure, Fridays now begin with a free practice session followed by Sprint Qualifying—this determines the starting grid for the Sprint race rather than the Sunday Grand Prix.
Saturday now features two competitive sessions. First, the 100km Sprint race takes place, awarding valuable championship points. Later in the day, traditional qualifying sets the grid for the main event on Sunday. Although Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying are now separated, all points from the Sprint still contribute to the season standings.
Going into 2025, the format remains unchanged following the 2024 reshuffle. Drivers will once again have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying on Friday. Saturday starts with the Sprint, and the day closes with the familiar three-round knockout qualifying to determine Sunday’s starting order.
The calendar has been slightly revised for the 2025 season. Notably, the Red Bull Ring in Austria has been dropped from the Sprint schedule, with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium taking its place. Six Sprint weekends are scheduled again this year. The first Sprint race took place in China earlier in the season, where Lewis Hamilton claimed an impressive win. This weekend’s Miami Grand Prix marks the second Sprint of the year.
Here is the list of upcoming Sprint races for the 2025 season, all shown in local times:
Miami (USA) – Miami International Autodrome, Saturday, May 3 at 5:00 PM
Belgium – Spa-Francorchamps, Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 AM
Austin (USA) – Circuit of the Americas, Saturday, October 18 at 6:00 PM
Brazil – Interlagos, Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 Pm
Qatar – Lusail International Circuit, Saturday, November 29 at 2:00 PM
The points system for Sprint races has also evolved over the years. Initially, in 2021, only the top three drivers received points—three for the winner, two for second place, and one for third. However, this offered limited motivation for teams and drivers outside the top three to take risks.
To better reward competitive racing throughout the field, F1 revised the scoring system in 2022. Under the current structure, the winner of a Sprint race earns eight points, with each position down to eighth receiving one fewer point (i.e., 8 for first, 7 for second, down to 1 for eighth). This system continues in 2025.
There are no extra points given for the fastest lap in Sprint races—a change that now also applies to the full-length Grands Prix in 2025, where the bonus point for fastest lap has been removed.
Each Sprint race covers 100 kilometers, far shorter than the typical 305-kilometer Grand Prix distance. With no mandatory pit stops, teams often opt for durable tyres that can last the entire race without significant degradation, placing a premium on strategic tyre choice and racecraft.
With the format now firmly in place, the 2025 Sprint weekends promise compact, action-packed racing while maintaining the Grand Prix as the weekend’s main event.
