Which circuits have hosted a sprint race in Formula 1?

Introduced in 2021 to liven up the weekend and reshuffle the deck before the Grand Prix of Formula 1Sprint races have found diverse avenues for expression. Some tracks amplify the spectacle, while others make it a more tactical exercise. Through the circuits that have hosted them—and those preparing to do so—the format reveals its strengths and limitations.

The first three sprint circuits

Silverstone inaugurated the format in July 2021 — the first-ever sprint race in Formula 1 history. With only one edition to date, and only one victory, that of Max Verstappen face Lewis HamiltonAfter a four-season absence, the British circuit returns to the sprint calendar in 2026. The fast, flowing track, with its long corners and straight-line mode zones—a replacement for DRS—encourages on-track battles. Silverstone offers a rare balance between pure spectacle and strategic reading, especially when the weather intervenes.

Monza has also only had one edition, in September 2021 — the second sprint race in history. Valtteri Bottas He triumphed there ahead of Max Verstappen, on a track where top speed and slipstreaming are paramount. The chicanes create opportunities but limit alternative strategies: the sprint was intense, sometimes predictable, with the hierarchy at the front remaining stable. The temple of speed has not featured in the sprint calendar since.

Interlagos is the only circuit that has been present since the beginning, without interruption: five consecutive editions from 2021 to 2025, an absolute record, which will therefore end this year, since the Brazilian circuit has been removed from the sprint racing calendar. Four different winners have participated in five races there — Valtteri Bottas (2021), George Russell (2022), Max Verstappen (2023), and Lando Norris (2024 and 2025) — which also makes it the most open circuit for the sprint calendar. The short, hilly and technical course, the unpredictable weather and the ever-present crowds, will surely be missed this year.

The usual circuits

Imola is the only circuit—aside from the top ones—that has hosted the sprint race just once, in April 2022, in difficult, rainy conditions. Max Verstappen won there without any real competition. The circuit has not featured on the sprint calendar since—and will also disappear from the overall calendar, with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being replaced by the Madrid Grand Prix from 2026 onwards.

Le Red Bull The Nürburgring is one of the circuits most faithful to the format: three editions between 2022 and 2024, with three victories for Max Verstappen. A single winner in three races speaks volumes about the Dutchman's dominance on this short and unpredictable track, where he also won four Grands Prix between 2018 and 2023.

Spa-Francorchamps hosted the Sprint in 2023 and again in 2025, resulting in two victories for the number 1 Red Bull driver. Unlike Spielberg, the Belgian circuit is distinguished more by its length and the speed at which gaps open up. The sprint therefore relies more on skill than aggression, and the changing weather conditions remain the main—sometimes the only—factor of surprise.

The Circuit of the Americas has been on the sprint calendar since 2023, with three editions in 2023, 2024, and 2025. And once again, Max Verstappen has won each race. The wide track allows for varied racing lines and produces regular battles in the top 10—but no surprise winner yet.

Lusail also hosted three sprints between 2023 and 2025, with two different winners: Oscar piastri (2023 and 2025) and Max Verstappen (2024). The fast Qatar circuit limits overtaking opportunities but imposes high tire wear and demanding physical conditions. Consistency pays off more than attacking.

Shanghai returned to the sprint — and overall — calendar in 2024 after several years' absence due to Covid. Three winners in three editions: Max Verstappen in 2024, Lewis Hamilton in 2025, and George Russell in 2026 — the first for the Briton and Mercedes Benz from Brazil 2022.

Miami has been on the sprint calendar since 2024, with three editions planned between 2024 and 2026. The four-time Dutch world champion won in 2024, Lando Norris in 2025. The street circuit concentrates overtaking on a few key areas and the hierarchy tends to continue in the Grands Prix — the first two editions have not yet produced a truly memorable race.

New for 2026

Montreal arrives in 2026 with a reputation to uphold: historically, its Grands Prix have been among the most eventful in terms of overtaking and incidents, particularly around the Wall of Champions. The Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, with its long straights and sharp chicanes, seems tailor-made for a lively sprint. Zandvoort presents the opposite challenge. Narrow, technical, and lacking a true straight, it has produced Grands Prix that have often been monotonous in terms of overtaking in recent seasons. The sprint there will likely be strategic, decided by starts and mistakes rather than on the track itself. Singapore is preparing to test the sprint in extreme conditions: scorching heat, a tight street circuit, and frequent safety car interventions. A sprint on this track could heighten the tension and directly impact the physical and energy management required for Sunday's race.

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