Formula 1 Sprint weekends will be back on the calendar in 2024 after successful runnings in each of the last three seasons.
This season, six different sprint races will take place just like last campaign, with the first scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China.
Five more will then take place across the year with the final Sprint race of 2024 scheduled to take place in Qatar in late November.
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Upon announcing the races for 2024, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, told the media: "I am delighted to announce six exciting venues for next season’s F1 Sprint events, including two new hosts China and Miami, both of which will be fantastic additions and provide great racing for all our fans at the race and watching at home."
For all the information you need on the adjusted format, The Sporting News is here to explain.
What is F1 Sprint?
The F1 Sprint format was first launched during the 2021 season, where it featured in three race weekends.
It was confirmed by F1 bosses that the format would continue in 2022 before the decision was made last season to up the amount of Grands Prix to six.
In essence, F1 Sprint is a condensed race that takes place over 100km (around 62 miles).
In these races, pit stops are not required to be made by drivers.
In 2024, sprint qualifying – or the 'Shootout' – will replace the second practice session on a Friday.
The sprint race will then be held on a Saturday in place of the third practice session.
Standard race qualifying will take place on a Saturday afternoon like normal.
F1’s Sprint calendar is designed to feature circuits which encourage overtaking and make for close and entertaining racing and that's seen again in 2024 with the additions of Miami and Austin in particular.
What is F1 Sprint Shootout?
Sprint Shootout is the qualifying session for the sprint race.
It is held over three shortened sessions – SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3 will last 12, 10, and eight minutes, respectively.
The results from the shootout determine the grid order for the sprint race on a Saturday.
Do drivers get points in F1 Sprint?
The points system for F1 Sprint races in 2024 will stay the same way it was last year.
That means that eight points are handed out to the winner, seven to second place, six to third and so on down to one for the driver who finished in P8 during the condensed race.
Those points will then be added to both the World Drivers' Championship and the Constructors' Championship standings.
Does F1 Sprint decide qualifying?
Unlike previous years, the Sprint result will have no bearing on the starting grid for the Grand Prix.
What is the schedule for an F1 Sprint weekend?
| Session | Session |
| Friday (1) | FP1 |
| Friday (2) | Sprint Shootout |
| Saturday (1) | Sprint Race |
| Saturday (2) | Qualifying |
| Sunday | Grand Prix |
F1 Sprint schedule 2024
| Date | Circuit | Country |
|
April 19-21 |
Shanghai | China |
| May 3-5 | Miami | USA |
| June 28-30 | Spielberg | Austria |
| October 18-20 | Austin | USA |
| November 1-3 | Sao Paulo | Brazil |
| November 29 - December 1 | Lusail | Qatar |
Who has won the most F1 Sprint races?
Two-time world champion Max Verstappen currently leads the way in sprint race victories with seven first-place finishes - nearly more than treble any other driver!
He won the debut sprint back in 2021 at Silverstone, before adding two more sprint victories during the 2022 season, at Imola and the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Verstappen went on to win the second Austrian Sprint in 2023 as well before adding three more victories to his tally.
Valtteri Bottas has also enjoyed the sprint format as he has finished ahead of Verstappen twice, at Monza and Brazil.
George Russell, Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri are the other drivers to have previously won F1 Sprint races.