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

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.