F1 announce new sprint race venues for 2024 season
The sprint race weekend, first introduced in F1 in 2021, will once again be implemented at six different tracks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.F1 has announced the location of next season’s sprint races – with China and Miami surprise new picks.
The sprint, introduced to Formula 1 at Silverstone in 2021, sees all 20 drivers take part in a 100km dash on Saturday before the traditional grand prix on Sunday.
There were six sprint race weekends in 2023 and 2024 will follow suit, with the introduction of a “sprint shootout” qualifying session this year popular with fans.
The first sprint race weekend will be in April in Shanghai, at China’s return to the calendar following a five-year absence due to the Covid pandemic.
The sprint will also debut in Miami in May, whilst returning to Austria, Austin, Brazil and Qatar. With the sport embarking on a record-breaking 24-race calendar next year, the news means sprint race weekends will occupy 25% of the schedule.
There will only be one sprint race in Europe – Austria in June – while the penultimate race of the season in Qatar will stage a sprint race.
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) and Azerbaijan (Baku) miss out after hosting sprint races in 2023.
Discussions are also taking place about a change of format to the sprint race weekend, with the most likely alteration being the “sprint shootout” moving from Saturday morning to Friday afternoon.
The sprint race would then take place on Saturday morning, before grand prix qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Currently, the qualifying session for Sunday’s grand prix takes place on Friday after just one practice session. There are also discussions surrounding a reverse grid format for the sprint race.
Such modifications will be decided on at the F1 Commission in January.
Max Verstappen has made no secret of his dislike of the sprint race format, though did clinch his third world championship this year following the sprint race in Qatar.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “Since its creation in 2021, the sprint has been consistent in delivering increased audiences on TV, more on track entertainment for the fans at events and increased fan engagement on social and digital platforms, and we are looking forward to the exciting events next year.”
The 2024 F1 season starts on 2 March at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir.
F1 sprint races in 2024:
- April 19-21 – Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
- May 3-5 – Miami Grand Prix, Miami Gardens
- June 28-30 – Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg
- October 18-20 – US Grand Prix, Austin
- November 1-3 – Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
- November 29-December 1 – Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments