Formula 1 is about to double down on Sprint races, and fans who hate them might want to look away now. The controversial 100km format, which has divided the paddock since 2021, is officially getting even more weekends starting in 2027.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali dropped the bombshell during Liberty Media’s latest earnings call, insisting the Sprint format is a massive win for attendance. He pointed to record-breaking crowds, including 564,000 fans at the British Grand Prix, as proof that the shorter races are pulling in bigger Friday audiences.
“Our Sprint format continues to drive higher Friday attendances and stronger daily attendances throughout the race weekend,” Domenicali told investors. He confirmed the number of Sprint events will expand next year, with more details coming soon.
Not everyone is thrilled. Alpine boss Flavio Briatore has gone even further, suggesting every single Grand Prix weekend should include a Sprint race. “For me, 24 races, 24 Sprint races,” he said, arguing it gives drivers something real to race for beyond engineering.
But four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been one of the loudest critics, calling Sprints “unnecessary” and “boring” earlier this year. Many hardcore fans agree, seeing the format as a gimmick that cheapens the main event.
Still, the points matter. The top eight finishers in each Sprint score from eight down to one, meaning they can shake up both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships. With two Sprints left in 2026—at the Dutch and Singapore Grands Prix—the debate is only heating up.
So, is F1 listening to its most passionate fans, or is the sport betting that bigger crowds and more action will win the day?
