It looks like Sprint Races are here to stay, and with yet another added twist. According to Chris Medland, it is understood that Formula 1 is in talks with teams and drivers to increase the number of Sprint races per season, as well as introduce a new format used across the feeder Formulas.
As of the 2025 season, there are six Sprint Races on the calendar, and this number could double to 12 by 2027. Accompanying this dramatic increase could be the inclusion of reverse grid racing, something that has been avoided since Sprint Races were introduced in 2021 in an attempt to spice things up on track.
How would these changes affect things?
Earlier this week, F1 announced which tracks will be hosting Sprint weekends in the 2026 season, with the format returning to Silverstone after a hiatus in 2025. Other circuits set to host next season are Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort and Singapore. As it stands, reverse grid races will not be making an appearance until 2027.
It’s understood F1 will discuss ideas such as reverse grid Sprints from 2027 (and maybe expand to 12) with the teams and drivers. Have your say on the idea on the poll here 👇🏼 #F1 https://t.co/GDl9fNI8pQ
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) September 16, 2025
Reverse grid racing is currently used in feeder series, such as Formula 2, F1 Academy and Formula 3, and centres around a reversal in the starting order of the top half of drivers after Qualifying. The format is usually used for the first race of the weekend, and the main race follows the official Qualifying order. It seems likely that F1 will bring this into contention if teams and drivers sign off on the idea.
This could be a controversial move, with some fans arguing that whoever starts first on the grid should have earned it by setting the fastest lap in qualifying. Others disagree, believing this adaptation will promote closer racing – something that has been lacking since Sprint racing made its comeback.
Why is F1 so desperate to destroy their own product?
— Joseph Petrassi (@JosephPetrassi) September 16, 2025
The general reaction from fans has been negative, with one X user questioning: “Why is F1 so desperate to destroy their own product?”, while others have suggested that its insulting to F1 drivers to use a format that is arguably used to teach those in the junior categories how to overtake.
With fans so vocally against Sprint Races, why is F1 pushing them?
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, has recently made headlines with his comments on the current format of race weekends, suggesting that fans are no longer interested in long practice sessions and would rather see more racing action.
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This was met with pushback from viewers, but with these changes proposed for 2027, what else could Domenicali have in store?
