Formula 1 appears to have definitively moved beyond the debate over the legitimacy of Sprint races. What was introduced in 2021 as an experiment designed to test fan interest has gradually evolved into one of the key elements through which Liberty Media is reshaping the Formula 1 product on a global scale. The objective is clear: to ensure that every day of a Grand Prix weekend carries its own sporting and commercial value.
That vision has now been reinforced by Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who revealed that future calendars are expected to feature more Sprint races than the six currently held each season. The proposal is already at an advanced stage, pending formal approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and is expected to be announced alongside the release of the next Formula 1 calendar.
The Italian executive recalled that the Sprint format was initially met with considerable skepticism. However, he pointed out that growing audience figures have steadily changed perceptions of the concept. According to Stefano Domenicali, the impressive Friday attendance at Silverstone provided clear evidence that offering meaningful on-track action from the very start of the weekend has increased fan engagement, both at the circuit and among television viewers.
From experiment to a cornerstone of the Formula 1 weekend
The rise of Sprint races perfectly reflects the evolution of the philosophy promoted by Liberty Media. The first trial took place at the 2021 British Grand Prix, where the short race was used to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. That season, only three events featured the experiment, with Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos serving as the testing grounds for the new format.
In 2022, Sprint weekends remained limited to just three Grands Prix. The real turning point came the following year, when the Sprint gained its own sporting identity thanks to the introduction of the Sprint Shootout and a standalone classification that became completely separate from the traditional qualifying session. From that moment on, the 100-kilometre race became an independent event capable of adding another layer of competition to the weekend without affecting Sunday’s starting grid.
That transformation has allowed Formula 1 to build a race weekend featuring competitive action across all three days, significantly increasing the commercial value of each event. That has become the central focus of Liberty Media’s long-term strategy.
Towards ten Sprint races: Monza is already confirmed
Reports emerging from the United Kingdom suggest that the next step could be a major expansion of the format. Formula 1 is reportedly considering increasing the number of Sprint weekends to nine or even ten per season, almost doubling the current total.
One venue has already been confirmed. Monza will host one of next year’s Sprint races, as announced by ACI President Geronimo La Russa during the presentation of the events surrounding the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. It is an important recognition for the historic Italian circuit, which will once again stage one of the busiest and most action-packed weekends on the Formula 1 calendar.
Sprint races: Max Verstappen remains the undisputed king
From a sporting perspective, Max Verstappen remains the undisputed benchmark in Sprint race history, having claimed 13 victories so far. This season, however, the picture has been far more competitive. George Russell currently leads the Sprint standings with two wins, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris have each secured one victory.
The overall impression is that Formula 1 has now chosen a clear direction. In the early years, the debate focused on whether Sprint races should exist at all. Today, the conversation has shifted to how many Sprint weekends should be included in the calendar. That change reflects how the format is now viewed as a permanent pillar of the Formula 1 World Championship rather than a temporary experiment. Looking further ahead, it is no longer unrealistic to imagine a future in which every Formula 1 weekend follows the Sprint format.
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