F1 sprint race: What are the rules? What is the new 2023 format?


The next F1 sprint race is this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix - there is a new schedule with new rules. Here is everything you need to know.
When are the six F1 sprint races?
Azerbaijan Grand Prix - 28–30 April
Austrian Grand Prix - 30 June–2 July
Belgian Grand Prix - 28–30 July
Qatar Grand Prix - 6 –8 October
United States Grand Prix - 20–22 October
Sao Paulo Grand Prix - 3–5 November
What is an F1 sprint race?
It’s a shortened race, on a Saturday, ahead of the full-length grand prix on a Sunday. A sprint race is a 100km dash to the finish without pit stops.
How many points are at stake?
P1 - eight points
P2 - seven points
P3 - six points
P4 - five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
What is the schedule of an F1 sprint race weekend?
Friday: Practice 1, Qualifying
Saturday: Sprint Shootout, Sprint Race
Sunday: F1 Grand Prix
What is a ‘Sprint Shootout?’
A new format has been introduced for the 2023 season, featuring a one-hour practice session on Friday followed by normal qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix.
Saturday will now solely be designated to the sprint. FP2 will be replaced by a new ‘Sprint Shootout’ qualifying session which will determine the grid for the sprint race later that day.
This qualifying will follow the same format for normal qualifying, but with descending time (12 mins for Q1, 10 mins for Q2 and 8 mins for Q3).
For the additional Saturday qualifying, teams will be required to use new medium tyres in Q1 and Q2, before switching to softs for Q3.
The intention of the changes is to add more jeopardy in Q3 and potentially result in pole position being decided by a single-lap shootout.
The results of the sprint race will have no bearing on the grid for the grand prix.
How will penalties work?
Grid penalties incurred in first practice or qualifying will apply to the grand prix.
Grid penalties incurred in the Sprint Shootout will apply to the sprint race.
Grid penalties incurred in the sprint race will apply to the grand prix.