The general calendar of races for the 2026 season has been known for some time now, but a few days ago, Formula One and the FIA made an additional announcement. They outlined the dates for the six sprint races, which will be spread out over the season, with the first one during only its second race. The question that their message raised was: Did they choose the right Grand Prix to host the additional events?
There is much to be said about Formula One’s sprint format. It is loved by some and despised by others, firmly dividing the community.
Those in favor see them as more racing for the price of the same number of weekends. That fun that usually starts with Saturday’s qualifying can now begin on Friday afternoon. Additionally, they are a good chance for the ‘weaker’ teams to try different setups, change their strategies, and maybe even score a couple of points.
On the other hand, sprints dull the excitement of a Sunday’s Grand Prix. They give away too much, too early, leaving little to speculation when it comes to the race itself. Not to mention, they add much more work for everyone involved in a racing weekend. The drivers push themselves more, the mechanics work harder, and the team ends up with more strategies to prepare.
The calendar published on Formula One’s website revealed the six venues that will go on to host the 2026 sprints. The first one will take place in March in Shanghai, just like it did in 2025. Two sprints will follow in May. One will be a repeat event in Miami, and the other a debut for the Canadian circuit in Montreal.
Silverstone will host a sprint for the first time since the format’s first-ever showing. The two following sprints will be held in venues that have never had the chance to host the shorter race: Zandvoort and Singapore.
Personally, I don’t think that the venues were chosen with much thought. Fans have already begun protesting against sprints being held in Zandvoort or Singapore, both of which are venues notorious for providing few overtaking opportunities. They are at their most interesting when strategy comes into play, and there is not that much of it in the short races. With only a handful of laps, no one will even think about changing tires.
There is one more problem with the Singaporean sprint. The country is incredibly hot in October, which is one of the reasons why its Grand Prix is held at night. The shorter race is set to start at five in the afternoon, to leave enough time for qualifying later in the evening. This means that the drivers will be forced to compete in incredibly taxing and dangerous conditions. Is our entertainment really worth putting them through that hell?
I am not a big fan of sprints. They aren’t that great for either the viewers or the drivers and only add to the already jam-packed schedule. If they are to stay a part of Formula One, they need to be handled with care and thought. Choosing the venues that offer the most money is not a good way for the sport to move forward.
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