Six F1 Sprints are taking place across this year's calendar. Ahead of the weekend's action, here's what to expect.
F1 Sprint was introduced in 2021 as a way to inject extra variety and excitement into the race weekend – and provide more opportunities for wheel-to-wheel action.
In the 2024 season, F1 Sprint has evolved, with the structure of a Sprint weekend undergoing changes in a bid to freshen up the format.
To get you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about it.
What have been the major changes for 2024?
The structure of F1 Sprint weekends has been revised. The Sprint Shootout to determine the grid for the Sprint now takes place following the sole Free Practice session on Friday. Saturday starts with the Sprint – a 100km race with no mandatory tyre changes and points awarded on a sliding scale down to eighth place. Qualifying for the Grand Prix follows the Saturday Sprint, with the Grand Prix taking place on Sunday.
Setup change
The changes to the structure of the weekend allow greater flexibility in the setup of the car, with any data gathered during the Sprint able to be used to inform setup changes prior to Qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Previously, during Sprint weekends, teams were unable to alter or adjust cars from the start of the Sprint Shootout due to parc fermé rules. Now, however, cars are under parc fermé conditions from the start of the Sprint Shootout until the end of the Sprint, after which parc fermé conditions are lifted and changes are permitted before Qualifying on Saturday when parc fermé conditions are applied again throughout the rest of the weekend.
The Shootout
The format of the Sprint Shootout remains unchanged. Unlike a standard Qualifying session, tyre compounds are mandated. The Medium tyre is mandated for SQ1 and SQ2, and only the Soft tyre is permitted in SQ3.
There are 12 minutes to set a time in SQ1, with the top 15 drivers advancing to a 10-minute SQ2. Only the top-10 fastest drivers go through to SQ3, a rapid eight-minute session that determines the top spots on the grid for Saturday's Sprint.
Where will the Sprints take place?
Mirroring the previous season, 2024 is featuring six F1 Sprint weekends, with Shanghai International Circuit and Miami International Autodrome hosting Sprints for the first time. Austria's Red Bull Ring, the Circuit of the Americas in the United States, Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Brazil and Lusail International Circuit, Qatar, are the other Sprint venues.
For the latest updates and unmissable content, stay tuned to this website and @AstonMartinF1 on social.
Related content
Around the world in 24 races: Qatar
Read Now
Andy Stevenson: A life racing around the world
Read Now
The Debrief by Aramco: Las Vegas Grand Prix
Read Now
Around the world in 24 races: Las Vegas
Read Now
Strategically speaking: F1 strategy explained with Tom McCullough
Read Now
UNDERCUT | Mike Krack: "This year has made us closer as a team"
Read NowI / AM membership
The ultimate fan experience.
Get closer to the team with unparalleled access, behind-the-scenes insights and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and enjoy exclusive competitions, rewards, offers and more.
