F1 2026: Silverstone Back On Sprint Calendar As New Venues Join The Line-Up

Formula 1 has confirmed its six Sprint venues for the 2026 season, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most dramatic schedules yet. Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, will return to Sprint duty for the first time since 2021, while Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore will all host Sprint weekends for the very first time.

Silverstone Returns To The Spotlight

For many fans, the announcement feels like a homecoming. Silverstone staged the sport’s very first Sprint in 2021 but has since stuck with the traditional weekend format. Its return in 2026, set for July 3–5, will add an extra layer of intensity to one of the most iconic races on the calendar. British fans, who already turn out in record-breaking numbers each year, will now get an additional day of flat-out racing. Expect the atmosphere to be electric.

On social media, fans in the UK welcomed the news, with one posting: “Silverstone Sprint is back! The best crowd deserves the best show.” Others were more cautious, with one reply reading: “Sprints are fun, but don’t mess with the tradition of Sunday’s main event.”

New Faces On The Sprint Calendar

The Canadian Grand Prix, which has shifted to a May date, will debut as a Sprint event. Montreal’s passionate fanbase is likely to embrace the added action, particularly with the city’s reputation for unpredictable weather that often produces wild racing.

Meanwhile, the Dutch Grand Prix will also hold its first Sprint in August 2026, but it will be its last. Zandvoort drops off the calendar after that season, making this Sprint a bittersweet farewell. Singapore rounds out the Sprint schedule in October, giving the Marina Bay night race an extra competitive twist under the floodlights.

Full F1 2026 Sprint Schedule

• China – March 13-15

• Miami – May 1-3

• Canada – May 22-24

• Great Britain (Silverstone) – July 3-5

• Netherlands – August 21-23

• Singapore – October 9-11

Interestingly, there will be no Sprint weekends in the final six rounds of the season, meaning venues like the US, Brazil, and Qatar will stick with the classic format.

Why Sprints Matter

F1 first trialled the Sprint format in 2021, aiming to shake up race weekends with more competitive action. Instead of two main sessions, fans now get four: a practice, Sprint Qualifying, a 100km Sprint race, and then the traditional Grand Prix.

The move has been divisive among purists, but the numbers speak for themselves. According to F1, Sprint weekends led to a 10% jump in television viewership last year, alongside higher attendance and digital engagement.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali defended the format: “With the 2026 season set to welcome a new era of regulations, having three new Sprint venues will only add to the drama on track.”

What’s Next For The Sprint Format?

The format itself will remain unchanged in 2026, but discussions are already underway for potential tweaks in 2027. Ideas on the table include expanding to as many as 12 Sprints per season and even experimenting with reverse grids to spice up the action.

For now, though, Silverstone’s Sprint return is the headline grabber. It’s a nod to the past, a boost for the future, and proof that Formula 1 is committed to balancing tradition with innovation.

Source:Sky Sports 

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