This is how the F1 Sprint format works: Friday and Saturday qualifying points explained

F1’s sprint format has divided opinions with both fans and drivers but it remains on the race calendar with some minor tweaks compared previous years.

ALI HAIDER

Paul Rudder Andy Hall

Update: May 2nd, 2025 10:08 EDT

First launched during the 2021 season, the F1 Sprint was essentially the organization’s response to the demand for more races on the annual calendar. With that, fans were made to understand that three more races would be added to the 2022 schedule.

Ferrari adding some blue and white for Miami 🔵⚪️#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/iuCy1AXZTH
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 1, 2025

F1 Sprint format and rules explained

In principle, an F1 Sprint is a shorter race - approximately 100km or 62 miles - which puts drivers into situations that typically take more time to unfold. Qualification for the sprint will now take place in what would normally be FP2. Adding further drama is that drivers don’t have to make pit stops either.

The ‘F1 Sprint Shootout’ has been renamed to Sprint Qualifying. Split into three stages, the slowest drivers are eliminated in the same style as qualifying. These positions are then the grid for the Sprint race.

Initially introduced at just three venues per season, in 2023, six Sprint weekends were added to the calendar, with the schedule modified to accommodate the Sprint having its own standalone qualifying session on Friday - after the only practice session of the weekend and before a 100km qualifying race on Saturday, in which crucial extra world championship points are on offer.

Sprint qualifying involves three sessions (SQ1: 12 minutes, SQ2: 10 minutes and SQ3: eight minutes). The five slowest cars from SQ1 and SQ2 are eliminated.

A “gobsmacked” Lewis Hamilton obliterated the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint in only his second race weekend with Ferrari.https://t.co/lua974XZUh pic.twitter.com/IdONqZCNiX
— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 21, 2025

Do drivers get points from Formula 1 Sprint?

The question is on everyone’s mind: Yes - in total, 36 points for the top eight finishers. Eight points are allotted to the winner, while seven go to second place, six to third... and so on. Any points accumulated are added to the World Drivers’ Championship tally and the Constructors’ Championship.

Does F1 Sprint still decide qualifying spot?

The Sprint results will have no effect on the starting grid for the Grand Prix. In practice, that means that this year, Friday will see a single session before qualifying commences, setting the starting grid for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.

2025 Miami Grand Prix schedule

Friday 2 May Practice 1: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Friday 2 May Sprint Qualifying: 4:30 - 5:14 p.m. ET
Saturday 3 May Sprint: 12:00 - 1 p.m. ET
Saturday 3 May Qualifying: 4:00 - 5 p.m. ET
Sunday 4 May Race: 4 p.m. ET

The Sprint returns this weekend, but with an updated format 🤔

This is all you need to know about how a Sprint weekend works 👇#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/gWjJSmtsPP
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 18, 2024

F1 Sprint weekend schedule 2025

Date	Track	Location	Winner
21-23 March	Shanghai	China	Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
2-4 May	Miami	Florida	TBD
25-27 July	Spa-Francorchamps	Belgium	TBD
17-19 October	Austin	USA	TBD
7-9 November	São Paulo	Brazil	TBD
28-30 November	Lusail	Qatar	TBD

Lewis Hamilton does donuts down NYC’s 5th Avenue

F1 MIAMI GP

How and where to buy tickets for the Miami GP

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.