The Sprint Returns: British Grand Prix 2026 Set to Deliver Even More Action

• Formula 1 Sprint Race format returns to Silverstone for the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2026 as calendar announced
• 2026 will see three days of competitive F1 track action, with an additional 100km Sprint Race on Saturday
• Formula 1 returns to Silverstone 02-05 July 2026. Hospitality packages are already on sale here, General Sale begins Friday 19 September at 10am.
   

Hot off the back of the biggest British Grand Prix yet, Silverstone is already gearing up to raise the bar once again. It’s official: the Sprint format is making its thrilling return to the Home of British Motorsport in 2026!

Next year’s race weekend, taking place from 02–05 July, promises to be an unmissable four-day festival of speed, drama, and unforgettable moments. On top of this, fans can now also look forward to a Formula 1 Sprint weekend, packing in even more competitive track action.

From Sprint Qualifying on Friday, to a flat-out Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday, and culminating in the main event, the Grand Prix Race, on Sunday, this is a weekend format built for pure adrenaline. That’s three days of high-stakes, wheel-to-wheel racing, and four days of atmosphere, music, entertainment, and fan experiences like no other.

Silverstone made history as the first circuit to host a Sprint back in 2021, and now it’s coming full circle. With only a select few Sprint weekends on the F1 calendar each year, this is your chance to witness one of the most intense formats in motorsport, live and in person.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the sport, 2026 is your moment to be part of something special. More racing. More thrills. More to experience. All at Silverstone.

Hospitality packages are already on sale for the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2026. Don’t miss your chance to join us

What is the F1 Sprint format?

The F1 Sprint is an intense 100km dash to the finish line. No mandatory pit stops, just wheel-to-wheel racing from lights-out to chequered flag. It’s an extra race during a Grand Prix weekend, providing more competitive track sessions than a traditional race weekend structure.

How is the grid set for an F1 Sprint Race? 

During a traditional F1 race weekend, racing action is split across five track sessions over three days - FP1 and FP2 on Friday, FP3 and Qualifying Saturday, and the Grand Prix Race on Sunday.
During a sprint weekend, FP2 is switched out for a Sprint Qualifying session to set the grid for Saturday’s Sprint Race. It runs basically the same as Grand Prix qualifying, but with less time for SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3 than a traditional session.
 

How does a F1 Sprint work? 

Switching out Saturday morning’s FP3 for a competitive 100km Sprint race makes for a thrilling day of track action! The Sprint Race typically lasts around 30 minutes and sees all cars go flat-out for a 100km dash to the line. No mandatory pit stops, just pedal-down action. Outside of pitstops and shorter race distance, the rules are broadly the same as a traditional Grand Prix Race.

How many points are awarded in a F1 Sprint? 

Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers in a F1 Sprint Race. First place gets 8 points, down to 1 point for the driver who finishes P8. The points are added onto the overall weekend score, so drivers have the opportunity to score a maximum of 33 points in a Sprint Race weekend, versus only 25 over the course of a traditional Grand Prix.

Does the F1 Sprint Race set the Grand Prix grid? 

No, the Sprint Race is a separate affair and doesn’t affect the Grand Prix Race or Qualifying. Saturday afternoon sees a traditional Qualifying session set the gird for the full-fat Grand Prix on Sunday. It’s basically an extra race thrown in the middle of a Grand Prix weekend! However, if a driver picks up a penalty during the Sprint, they could risk having to serve that for Sunday’s race.

What happened at the last Silverstone Sprint? 

Silverstone set the stage for the inaugural event in July 2021, where a 17-lap Sprint determined the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Max Verstappen made a lightning start, overtaking polesitter Lewis Hamilton into Turn 1.He defended hard under pressure to win the first-ever F1 Sprint, securing pole position for the 2021 British Grand Prix. Hamilton remained close, but wouldn’t reclaim the lead, finishing second. 

Valtteri Bottas finished third and Charles Leclerc fourth. Fernando Alonso impressed on the first lap climbing to fifth from 11th before being overtaken by the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Sebastian Vettel, George Russell and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top 10, while Carlos Sainz recovered to 11th after contact with Russell earlier on in the race dropped him down the order. The only retiree came in the form of Sergio Perez, who retired his Red Bull at the start of the final lap from 18th place.

When and where are the 2026 F1 Sprint Weekends? 

Formula 1 have announced five other Sprint Weekends in addition to Silverstone to take place in 2026.

• Chinese Grand Prix (13 - 15 March)
• Miami Grand Prix (01 - 03 May)
• Canadian Grand Prix (22 - 24 May)
• British Grand Prix (02 - 05 July)
• Dutch Grand Prix (21 - 23 August)
• Singapore Grand Prix (09 - 11 October)
   

Where can I get tickets to the British Grand Prix 2026?

General event tickets go on sale 10am Friday 19 September, sign up to be first to hear when they’re released.. Booking your camping or glamping sale now will provide you access to the pre-sale on Thursday 18 September. Hospitality on sale now. 

Hospitality packages for the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2026 are already on sale! Explore the options here and start planning your British Grand Prix Sprint Weekend!