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F1 Sprint: Schedule, points, results format explained, qualifying, race and venues for 2026 season | F1 News

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Everything you need to know about Formula 1’s Sprint weekend format for the 2026 F1 season.

When and where are the Sprint weekends?

Six of F1’s 24 race weekends again run to the Sprint format in the 2026 season:

Canada, the Netherlands and Singapore host Sprint weekends for the first time while the British Grand Prix returned as a Sprint round for the first time since 2021.

What is F1 Sprint?

The Sprint format – with a short-form Saturday race as its centrepiece – was added to the F1 schedule at select events from the 2021 season in a bid to further spice up the action on tracks known to be good for overtaking, while also ensuring competitive track sessions for fans attending the circuit and watching on TV on all three days of the race weekend.

Initially introduced at just three venues per season before growing to six from 2023, such weekends feature a rejigged schedule, with the Sprint having its own qualifying session on Friday before a 100km race on Saturday, in which crucial extra world championship points are on offer.

The Sprint weekend schedule

Friday
Practice
Sprint Qualifying

Saturday
Sprint
Grand Prix Qualifying

Sunday
Grand Prix

What is the Sprint weekend format?

Sprint weekends begin with a single free practice session on Friday, which as usual lasts for one hour.

Sprint Qualifying then follows later on Friday.

Saturday then opens with the 100km Sprint contest, followed by Grand Prix Qualifying later in the day to set the grid for the Grand Prix itself on Sunday.

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Ride onboard with George Russell as he qualifies on pole for the Chinese GP Sprint.

How does Sprint Qualifying work?

The Friday session to set the Sprint grid will follow the same format as last season, with each of its three parts running to the same knockout rules as full Qualifying but to shorter durations to address engine and tyre concerns.

  • SQ1 is 12 minutes
  • SQ2 is 10 minutes
  • SQ3 is eight minutes

The initial aim is that each car only has one flying lap in each session, although two runs can be completed in SQ1 while SQ2 and SQ3 do allow time for two timed laps without a pit stop in between attempts.

The other significant difference between Sprint Qualifying and full Qualifying are restrictions on tyre usage in the former.

While drivers are free to use any of their available tyres in regular qualifying, in Sprint Qualifying they are only allowed to run one set of tyres in each part.

A new set of medium tyres is mandatory in SQ1 and SQ2, while a set of soft tyres – new or otherwise – is mandatory in SQ3.

What is the points system for the Sprint?

Points for the Sprint in 2026 remain unchanged.

A total of 36 points are on offer for the top eight finishers in Saturday’s race. This is allocated as follows:

  • 1st place – 8 points
  • 2nd place – 7 points
  • 3rd place – 6 points
  • 4th place – 5 points
  • 5th place – 4 points
  • 6th place – 3 points
  • 7th place – 2 points
  • 8th place – 1 point

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Highlights of the Sprint race from the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix

Are there pit stops in the F1 Sprint?

Pit stops are few and far between given how short a Sprint is.

Unlike the Grand Prix, there is no mandatory change of tyres required and, unless cars suffer damage or puncture or it rains, don’t expect them to leave the action on track for the pit lane between lights out and the chequered flag.

Drivers are free to run on whatever tyre compound – hard, medium or soft – that they wish.

How often can teams change their cars between sessions?

Since the current Sprint format was introduced, teams have had a second opportunity to make setup changes to their cars during the weekend.

The cars enter parc ferme when the first competitive session – Friday’s Sprint Qualifying – gets under way. However, those restrictions are lifted after Saturday’s Sprint, giving teams the opportunity to make further changes based on what they have learned from the opening sessions.

Teams can then use that information to fine-tune their setups ahead of full Qualifying. Once Qualifying begins, the cars are locked into parc ferme conditions again, with those setups carrying through to Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Formula 1 heads straight to Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with track action starting this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

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NFL: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers & Minnesota Vikings stay unbeaten – week four round-up

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Kansas City have dominated their rivalry with the Raiders in recent years, but Las Vegas are vastly improved after winning only three games last season and pushed the Chiefs all the way.

The Raiders led 13-10 heading into the final quarter in Vegas, which featured three lead changes before Kansas City held on for a 30-27 win.

The turning point came as new running back Kenneth Walker maintained his stunning start by scoring two touchdowns in 19 seconds, with the Chiefs regaining possession immediately by forcing a fumble on the kick-off return.

The Raiders gave themselves hope with a Brock Bowers score and stayed alive until the final play, when Kirk Cousins was tackled as he threw and his wayward pass was intercepted.

Walker finished with 177 yards from 22 carries, while team-mate Tyquan Thornton also had two touchdowns and 111 receiving yards.

After missing last season’s play-offs, the Chiefs look capable of getting back into Super Bowl contention. They next face the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 0-4 after losing 30-23 to defending champions the Seattle Seahawks.

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Republic of Ireland: Heimir Hallgrimsson calls on Uefa to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future after tense draw | Football News

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Heimir Hallgrimsson has called on UEFA to keep Ireland and Israel apart in future.

The Ireland boss was speaking following his side’s 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Israel behind closed doors in Serbia.

The games between the two nations this international break were overshadowed by politics, with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) urged to boycott the internationals amid ongoing conflict in the Israel-Gaza War.

This continued in Serbia, as Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle was allegedly spat on by an Israeli player at half-time, according to reports in the stadium.

Irish media reported that the incident took place as the teams went down the tunnel. Ireland boss Hallgrimsson confirmed there was an allegation, but he admitted he didn’t see it and declined to comment further on it.

However, when asked if the two countries should be playing each other again, he told RTE Sport: “No, they shouldn’t. That’s not ours to decide – that’s UEFA who decides that. Obviously, there’s a big support for Palestine in Ireland. There’s not many countries that support Palestine as much as Ireland does.

“I wouldn’t wish any national team to go through what we’ve gone through in these two weeks, so maybe UEFA just needs to step in and do something.”

Sky Sports News has contacted UEFA for comment.

Israeli Government accuses ROI of ‘moral blindness’

The Israeli Government have accused the Ireland football team of “moral blindness” for bowing their heads during their national anthem.

For the second time in a week, the Irish players, coaching team and FAI all bowed their heads while the Israeli national anthem was played pre-match.

Republic of Ireland players bowed their heads during the national anthem
Image:
Republic of Ireland players bowed their heads during the national anthem

The official Israeli Government X account posted: “While some use the football field as their political theatre, for us this is personal.

“1939: Irish players raised their arms in salute to Nazi Germany.

“2026: Irish players bowed their heads during Israel’s anthem.

“Different generations. The same moral blindness.

“Today, Israel’s players wear black armbands to remember those brutally massacred by Hamas on October 7 – including former professional footballer Lior Asulin.

“Some of us have skin in the game. Others just make a show of it.”

Sky Sports News has contacted the FAI for comment.

Two Israeli journalists banned for post-match press conferences

Meanwhile, prior to the match, UEFA confirmed that two Israeli journalists were banned from the post-match press conferences, after Saturday’s pre-match Ireland press conference descended into chaos.

The media access for Ireland was cut short after an Israeli journalist alleged that Israeli players had claimed Irish players had racially abused them during the match in Hungary last weekend.

The journalist alleged that a derogatory term had been used, which Sky Sports has chosen not to repeat. The term is not associated with antisemitic or anti-Israeli abuse.

An Irish press officer refuted the allegation, saying: “That’s completely untrue,” before bringing the news conference to a premature close.

After the press conference ended abruptly, Serbian police were called following an allegation of assault by an Israeli journalist, who said a microphone had been taken from them by an FAI press officer.

Sky Sports News understands that no further action was taken by police.

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Arsenal have lost their self-belief. Rediscovering it won't be straightforward

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A 4-2 humbling at the hands of Manchester City hammered home how Arsenal’s problems are more than skin-deep

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