The sprint format was introduced in Formula 1 for the first time in 2021 and, after some skepticism and initial difficulties, it has now found favor with drivers, teams and fans. After F1 cautiously tested three sprint weekends per season in the first two years, the number of sprint races grew to six from the 2023 Formula 1 season. The premier class will remain in 2025.
These routes are used
The Formula 1 calendar for 2025 was published in April and now, three months later, the dates and venues for the sprint weekends have been set. Sprints will take place in China, Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar. These are almost the same tracks as in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Only Austria will be replaced by Belgium. São Paulo is the only track to be there from the start and will therefore host an F1 sprint for the fifth time next year. The race has been a guaranteed spectacle in recent editions.
There are two main criteria that Formula 1 uses to select the Grands Prix with a sprint format: Firstly, the track should offer good overtaking opportunities so that there is not just a procession in the Saturday and Sunday races. Secondly, the organizers must put enough money on the table to be allowed to hold a sprint weekend. Because one thing is clear: with the sprint qualifying and sprint, there are two more exciting sessions, which makes ticket sales even more lucrative for the organizers.
In addition, there has been a trend since last year for an increased number of sprint races to take place towards the end of the season. Formula 1 is therefore likely to be aiming to keep the world championship battle exciting until the very end by keeping as many world championship points as possible open until the end.
Formula 1 2025: The official racing calendar – All races & sprint dates
| Date | Grand Prix | Route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-16 March | Australia | Melbourne | |
| 21-23 March | China | Shanghai | Sprint format |
| 4-6 April | Japan | Suzuka | |
| 11-13 April | Bahrain | Sakhir | |
| 18-20 April | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | |
| 2-4 May | Miami | Miami | Sprint format |
| 16-18 May | Emilia Romagna | Imola | |
| 23-25 May | Monaco | Monte-Carlo | |
| 30 May-1 June | Spain | Barcelona | |
| 13-15 June | Canada | Montreal | |
| 27-29 June | Austria | Spielberg | |
| 4-6 July | Great Britain | Silverstone | |
| 25-27 July | Belgium | spa | Sprint format |
| 1-3 August | Hungary | Budapest | |
| 29-31 August | Netherlands | Zandvoort | |
| 5-7 September | Italy | Monza | |
| 19-21 September | Azerbaijan | Baku | |
| 3-5 October | Singapore | Singapore | |
| 17-19 October | USA | Austin | Sprint format |
| 24-26 October | Mexico | Mexico City | |
| 7-9 November | Brazil | Sao Paulo | Sprint format |
| 20-22 November | Las Vegas | Las Vegas | |
| 28-30 November | Qatar | Losail | Sprint format |
| 5-7 December | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
Formula 1 plans no changes to the sprint format
The new format has been revised several times in the first few years due to some critical voices. At the moment, however, no changes to the sprint format are planned for 2025, according to Formula 1. At the beginning of the year, the F1 Commission had discussions about possible changes, which are expected to continue in the future. However, there is no information yet about the exact timetable or specific changes.
If everything stays the same, the 2025 sprint format will be as follows: On Friday there will be a single free practice session lasting 60 minutes. This will be followed by sprint qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for the sprint. The sprint race is the first session on Saturday morning, followed by qualifying for the Grand Prix in the afternoon. From Saturday afternoon onwards, sprint weekends will be the same as regular weekends: the starting grid for the highlight of the weekend, which takes place on Sunday afternoon, will be determined in qualifying.
The benefits of the sprint format for Formula 1 are obvious: the sport is gaining even greater popularity and resonance. While the practice Friday on regular weekends is only watched by die-hard Formula 1 fans, as the sessions are not of crucial importance, there is a significant increase in television viewership on all Fridays during sprint weekends.