Silverstone: The British Grand Prix will be one of six sprint events on next year's Formula 1 calendar. Silverstone, which last hosted a sprint in 2021 when the format was introduced, is set to bring back the excitement of shorter, high-intensity races to its historic track.
According to BBC, the biggest surprise in the upcoming sprint schedule is the inclusion of Singapore. Known for its challenging street circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult, Singapore might not seem like a natural choice for a sprint event, yet it has been added to the lineup. Meanwhile, Barcelona's contract is due to expire after the next season, but the venue remains a contender to rotate with the Belgian Grand Prix. Belgium has secured a new contract allowing it to host races four out of the next six years, while Germany, Portugal, and Turkey have also shown interest in joining the rotation.
Formula 1 is also in the process of finalizing plans for a potential new race in Bangkok, Thailand, aiming for a debut around 2028. Despite the ongoing interest from various venues, the number of sprint events will remain at six for 2026 due to the new chassis and engine regulations set to be introduced, which add strain on the teams. However, F1 is contemplating increasing the number of sprint events to as many as 12 by 2027, potentially featuring sprint races at half of the season's tracks.
A sprint event typically consists of a shorter race with its own qualifying session preceding the traditional qualifying and main event, differing from a conventional grand prix weekend that includes three practice sessions before qualifying and the race. Discussions are also underway about altering the sprint format, possibly by experimenting with reverse grids.
F1 president Stefano Domenicali highlighted the benefits of sprint events, stating, "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." These events are also financially beneficial, as promoters are willing to pay a premium to host them. Domenicali added that the 2026 season, with its new regulations and three new sprint venues, promises to bring additional drama to the track.