The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium will host their first sprint races on the Formula One calendar next season. AP reports that F1 had already committed to doubling the number of sprints from three to six and confirmed the hosts. Sprint races are held on Saturdays before the main Grand Prix a day later. A sprint race is held over a shorter distance and awards fewer points. It also sets the grid for the following day’s race.
They were first trialed in 2021, and have been credited with attracting more television viewers to the race weekend in general. Qualifying is moved from Saturday to Friday when there is a sprint. Next year, the Sprints will be held in Azerbaijan (Baku City Circuit), Austria (Red Bull Ring), Qatar (Losail Circuit) and Sao Paulo (Interlagos).