Formula 1 Rumor: Three new circuits to get Sprint races in 2026

(GMM) The Dutch GP may have accidentally – or deliberately – revealed the venues for Formula 1’s six sprint races in 2026.

A now-deleted post from the official Zandvoort social media account appeared to show that Canada, China, Zandvoort, Silverstone, Miami and Singapore will host sprint weekends next season. Canadian media, including AutoRacing1.com, said the post “quickly disappeared, but it was too late”.

If confirmed, it would mark a shakeup of the sprint calendar, with new additions like Singapore, Canada, and Zandvoort, and just two venues – Shanghai and Miami – returning from 2025. F1 has not confirmed the list, but the deleted post aligns with expectations that the number of sprint events will remain at six in 2026.

It also suggests that the 2026 calendar will feature the same 24 circuits as this season.

Sprint races, introduced in 2021 to attract younger and more casual fans, remain unpopular with many drivers and traditionalists. The format eliminates a full practice session and shortens the race weekend, but also makes drivers cautious due to parc ferme rules and the proximity of full qualifying shortly after.

The Spa sprint last weekend was a prime example. Despite close running at the front, little overtaking occurred.

“There’s not a lot going on,” admitted Lando Norris. “I’m not too fussed about sprint races, but obviously main races I prefer to win.”

Oscar Piastri, who started from pole, echoed the sentiment: “It is only the sprint. The main points are tomorrow.”

Max Verstappen, who won the sprint, described it as “15 qualifying laps” just to maintain position. “You’re keeping faster cars behind, so you have to drive over the limit,” he said. “Tire management is out of the window.”

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes and Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 26, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

July 27, 2025

According to the Dutch GP’s Twitter/X account (it was later deleted), Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore are all expected to host their first-ever Sprint Race Weekends alongside Britain, China, and Miami in 2026.

2026 will also mark the last time the Dutch Grand Prix will run, after it was announced last year that the race would not renew its contract beyond its current deal, which ends next season.

The next Sprint Weekend in 2025 will take place at the United States Grand Prix in October at the Circuit of the Americas.