What is the format for F1 sprint races in 2026?

The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes following a five-week hiatus with the second of six sprint events at the Miami Grand Prix, from 1-3 May.

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 qualifying sessions because of Cadillac's arrival on the grid.

Sprint qualifying takes place on Friday, after the only practice session of the weekend. In Miami, first practice will run for 90 minutes instead of the usual hour to give teams and drivers extra time on track.

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

This weekend's sprint at the Miami International Autodrome 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 and starts at 21:00 BST.

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 the first event in China in March, Mercedes' George Russell, who was on pole position, took victory after battling with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during the opening laps.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton finished in third while team-mate Charles Leclerc secured second place behind Russell.

Miami is holding its 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 - results

2. Miami - 2 May

3. Canada - 23 May

4. Silverstone - 4 July

5. Zandvoort - 22 August

6. Singapore - 10 October