The 2025 Formula 1 calendar will feature six Sprint weekend events spread across different circuits worldwide. These weekends are set for March 21-23 at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai; May 2-4 at the Miami Grand Prix; July 25-27 at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps; October 17-19 at the United States Grand Prix in Austin; November 7-9 in Sao Paulo; and November 28-30 for the Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail.
Spa-Francorchamps returns to the Sprint schedule in place of Austria’s Grand Prix, which hosted the event previously in 2023. The other five venues remain unchanged, maintaining consistency for fans and teams in those locations.
Overview of the Sprint Format and Its Purpose
The Sprint format was introduced in 2021 to add excitement to select race weekends and improve fan engagement by offering competitive events throughout all three days of the weekend. Initially, only three locations featured the Sprint, but it expanded to six events by 2023. This format includes a dedicated Sprint Qualifying session on Friday, followed by a shorter 100-kilometer race on Saturday, providing drivers with an opportunity to earn additional championship points prior to the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
Structure of a Typical Sprint Weekend
In 2025, the Sprint weekend format will follow the established pattern from previous years without any changes. Fridays begin with a one-hour free practice session to allow teams to prepare and adjust their cars. Sprint Qualifying then takes place later that day to determine the starting grid for the Saturday Sprint race.
The Saturday schedule starts with the 100-kilometer Sprint event. Afterward, teams hold the full Grand Prix Qualifying later in the day, setting positions for the main race on Sunday.
Details on Sprint Qualifying Procedures
Friday’s Sprint Qualifying sessions adhere to the knockout-style format familiar from standard qualifying but with shortened time limits to safeguard engines and tires. The session is divided into three parts: SQ1 lasts 12 minutes, SQ2 runs for 10 minutes, and SQ3 concludes in 8 minutes.
Each car aims to complete just one flying lap per session, though two attempts are possible in SQ1. SQ2 and SQ3 allow time for two timed laps without needing to enter the pits between runs.
Tire regulations differ from standard qualifying; usage is restricted to one set of tires per session segment. Drivers must use a medium compound in SQ1 and SQ2, while the soft tire is mandatory for SQ3. These tires do not need to be brand new, adding a strategic element for teams managing their tire stock.
Point Distribution for Sprint Races
The points system for Sprint races in 2025 remains the same as previous seasons, with a total of 36 championship points awarded to the top eight finishers of the SaturdaySprint contest. Distribution is 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
These additional points can be decisive in the championship. For example, Max Verstappen secured the 2023 world title by capitalizing on Sprint points at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Pit Stop Practices During Sprint Races
Because of the Sprint’s relatively short distance, pit stops are rare and generally only occur if a car sustains damage or experiences a tire puncture. Unlike the main Grand Prix event, there is no mandatory tire change, allowing drivers to complete the race on any compound they prefer—whether hard, medium, or soft—providing tactical flexibility.
Car Adjustments Throughout the Sprint Weekend
Teams benefit from an additional opportunity to modify their car setups during Sprint weekends. After Friday’s Sprint Qualifying initiates parc fermé conditions locking teams from making changes, cars are released from these restrictions following the Sprint race on Saturday. This enables teams to optimize their vehicles using data gathered during the earlier sessions before the full Grand Prix Qualifying, where the parc fermé status is re-applied ahead of Sunday’s race.
Implications and Fan Considerations for 2025
The 2025 F1 Sprint Weekend format offers fans a compressed schedule filled with competitive sessions across all three days, enhancing the race weekend experience both at circuits and through broadcasts. With six Sprint weekends scheduled, the format influences championship dynamics by awarding valuable points and allowing teams to test strategies during shorter race distances.
The adoption of Spa-Francorchamps as a new Sprint venue enriches the calendar with a historic and challenging track, while retention of proven venues ensures continuity for drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and teams such as McLaren and Ferrari. The format remains a vital element of the 2025 season, promising engaging racing action and strategic depth in both sprint and classic grand prix events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Certainly, 13 is a permitted number. Pastor Maldonado used #13 when F1 introduced permanent numbers in 2014. Although some cultures see it as unlucky, drivers can choose it.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British race car driver in Formula One. He races for Mercedes and has previously driven for McLaren. He openly talks about his experiences with ADHD and explores his various interests and hobbies.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. F1 driver number guidelines: Every driver can select a permanent number from 2 to 99, but 17 is not allowed, to use during their career.
Q. Which F1 drivers have ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton. Born in 1985, Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton is a British Formula One driver. He competes for Mercedes and formerly drove for McLaren. Hamilton openly shares his experiences with ADHD and talks about his various interests and hobbies.