Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto
  3. Evergreens

What is a sprint race in F1?

Sprints add excitement for spectators

By

Haas F1 team Formula 1 race car on the track.
Formula 1 Grand Prix races are three-day events starting Thursday or Friday. Starting with the 2021 season, a few events have also included a Sprint race. An F1 Sprint race is relatively short and includes the minimum laps required to complete 100 kilometers (62 miles). Most Sprint races last 30 to 45 minutes and, according to FIA F1 Rules and Regulations, must finish within an hour of the race start time.

In contrast, F1 Grand Prix races are longer, consisting of the fewest laps to cover 305 kilometers (190 miles), except in Monaco, where the distance is 257 km (160 miles). Grand Prix races are supposed to finish in two hours unless they are suspended during red flag conditions, which can extend the time to 3 hours.

Recommended Videos

Why are Sprints important in F1 racing

Lando Norris driving a McLaren F1 race car.
Guy / Pixabay

The FIA added F1 Sprint races to Grand Prix race events to keep the events fun and entertaining for spectators in person or via streaming content. In typical Grand Prix events, the first day has two timed free practice sessions, with a third practice session on the second day. The practice sessions allow spectators to see the cars in action, but drivers will often leave the track for adjustments or fixes depending on how their cars perform on the tracks.

With no competition among the race cars, the FIA believed spectators would be bored. The second day also includes a qualifying event, which determines pole position in the Grand Prix, but it’s still just getting ready for the big race. So, the FIA’s added shorter race gave viewers another real competition between F1 cars and allowed teams and drivers to win additional F1 World Championship points.

Williams Formula 1 team F1 race car on the track.
Williams Racing / Williams Racing

How many Sprint races are there in 2024

In the 2024 Formula 1 calendar, the six F1 Sprint races will occur at the Grand Prix race events in Austin, Austria, Brazil, Miami, Qatar, and Shanghai.

How does a Sprint race change the Grand Prix schedule?

F1 race - Ricciardo sparking past Grosjean for 4th in 2016.
“F1 race – Ricciardo sparking past Grosjean for 4th” by JaffaPix +6 million views-wow / thanks… is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. / Flickr

Previously, Sprint races changed the Grand Prix event schedule. Instead of the usual two practices on Friday, one practice and the qualifying event on Saturday, and the Grand Prix race on Sunday, from 2021 through 2023, Sprint race weekends meant one practice and the Grand Prix qualifying race on Friday, a Sprint Shootout qualifying and the Sprint race on Saturday, and then the Grand Prix race on Sunday. The Sprint lessened the amount of practice opportunities and interrupted progress for the big race, in the opinion of many drivers.

The FIA changed the 2024 schedule for Grand Prix events with Sprint races. The Sprint Shootout happens this year on Friday after the free practice event. On Saturday, the Sprint race is first, followed by the Grand Prix qualifying event, with the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Pirelli F1 racing tires on Red Bull Racing Formula 1 race car.
Randomwinner / Pixabay

What Championship points can drivers win in Sprints?

The F1 rules state that for Sprint races that complete 100 km (62 miles), the first eight finishing positions will be awarded points. First place will win 8 points, second position gets 7 points, and so on, to the eighth position driver who will get 1 point. The points are reduced proportionally if the race is stopped without completing the full distance.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown
Former Contributing Editor
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce… Read Full Bio
Auto
Michael Jordan’s 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello Hitting Auction Block After Decades-Long Search
Car, Coupe, Sports Car

On May 29, 1997, Michael Jordan had a Ferrari 550 Maranello delivered to him. It was a match made in heaven: a renowned supercar for the greatest basketball player of all time. At the time, Jordan was on a quest to win his fifth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. Less than a month later, he accomplished the feat. Hours after claiming his fifth NBA title on June 13, 1997, Jordan was seen in the bowels of United Center, sitting in his Ferrari, with a cigar in hand. Photographers followed him as he smiled for the cameras while he sat behind the wheel: Rosso Barchetta over tan leather, chrome Speedline wheels, and an Illinois plate that read “MJ 5.”

The Ferrari 550 Maranello was a landmark for the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, marking its return to the front-engined V12 — a two-seat berlinetta with a gated manual, the configuration that made the marque’s name, revived after more than two decades away. The Ferrari was a constant presence as he geared up for his sixth NBA title and his second three-peat. He drove the car to home games, practices, and public appearances.

Read more
Auto
Honda Just Hid a Superbike Engine Inside a 1980s Time Machine
Helmet, Adult, Male

In the late 70s and early 80s, legendary racer Freddie Spencer rocketed around circuits, capturing AMA Superbike titles and exhibiting the smooth, precise style he became known for. But just as important were the bikes he did it on — production-based Honda CB750s and 900s, looking as much like street bikes as racing machines. No windscreen, upright bars, and a bulging, muscular fuel tank. It was truly production-based racing.

That era of Honda CB motorcycles had the rare combination of street presence and race-worthy performance — icons of an era gone by. But Honda didn’t forget. The new CB1000F hearkens back to AMA Superbike’s golden age, while looking ahead with modern tech and street-worthy style. Here’s what makes this bike a compelling design. 

Read more
Auto
Here are the three Cadillac drops you missed at Monterey Car Week
Car, Coupe, Sports Car

If you are a gearhead, or just a car guy in general, then you know that last week (like every year around this time) the car world descended on California for Monterey Car Week. It is an opportunity to check out some of the best of the best that is hitting the market this year. And, also, a really great opportunity to just stare at beautiful vehicles, both old and new. Of course, one of the most storied and luxurious car manufacturers in the country is always ready to make a splash, and luckily for their fans, Cadillac showed up with something special to show off. They created the optimum day-to-day ride, the best date night or evening ride, and then the completely impractical but equally badass machine.

Here are the three big moments for Cady lovers that landed at Monterey Car Week.

Read more