What is the format for F1 sprint races in 2026?

The new era of Formula 1 is under way and the Chinese Grand Prix will host the first of six sprint events for the 2026 season.

The format is largely the same as last year except now the six slowest cars instead of five will be eliminated from the first two sessions because of Cadillac's arrival on the grid.

Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday, after the only one-hour practice session of the weekend.

The 100km sprint, which lasts about 30 minutes, is the first track action on Saturday.

This weekend's sprint at the Shanghai International Circuit is 19 laps.

Qualifying for the main race is in its usual spot as the second session on Saturday.

The grand prix then takes place as normal on Sunday.

Sprint qualifying has three sessions, where now the six slowest cars are knocked out from the first two - like normal qualifying.

These sessions, known as SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3, last 12, 10 and eight minutes respectively.

This will make up the grid for the sprint race.

The top eight finishers score points, from eighth for first place to one for eighth spot, which will get added to the overall drivers' championship standings.

At last year's sprint race in China, Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory for Ferrari when he triumphed from pole position ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Both China and Miami are holding their third straight sprint race this season.

The Canadian, Dutch and Singapore Grands Prix are new additions to the sprint calendar in 2026, while the British Grand Prix at Silverstone returns for the first time since the format's debut in 2021.

1. China - 14 March

2. Miami - 2 May

3. Canada - 23 May

4. Silverstone - 4 July

5. Zandvoort - 22 August

6. Singapore - 10 October