F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali hints that the number of Sprints to be held in 2027 could increase to as many as ten.

Love 'em or loathe 'em the Sprints are here to stay, the big question being how many races are going to feature them.

Speaking over the weekend, Sky's Martin Brundle said that there are twelve planned for next season, meaning that half the races on the schedule would feature the 'mini-me' events.

However, Domenicali, although hinting that there will be an increase, didn't go as high as twelve.

"If you remember in the beginning, people were always sceptical of what we're doing," he told reporters in defence of the Sprints, which continue to divide drivers and fans alike.

"We have the duty to be, in a way, brave and to think out of the box," he continued.

"I think you see the effect," he insisted. "Friday, with the people that we had at Silverstone, if you don't give something that has to be an action, it would be wrong."

Of course, Friday's attendance figures were impressive, as was attendance throughout the weekend, but, other than the fact that the grand prix has always been well supported in Britain, the crossover into a music festival has increased numbers, which is exactly why COTA first tried the idea and others have copied ever since.

Though he didn't give a number, Domenicali hinted that, going forward, it will be more than the six we currently have.

"I think that this is the way to go," he said, "and we are in the process of announcing the bigger number for the future. This will come when we announce the calendar very, very soon."

Saturday's Sprint was just as frantic as F1 bosses had hoped for, with the full-on return of yo-yoing, courtesy of engine management, however, having learned from the experience, the opening laps of Sunday's race were far more cautious.

Make no mistake, this isn't about bums on seats at the track, two race starts, especially if they are like Saturday's, means more incidents, thereby increased TV viewership, while, in its quest to monetise every single aspect of the sport, even the driver parades, it offers all involved the opportunity to increase revenue.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 10/07/2026 9:10

"@Celtic Tiger...It's becoming clearer....I think. Are you saying that it's race overload? Instead of 24 races we are having 30 actual events? I may be wrong but I somehow can't see how some devoted race followers are watching a single FP session then nothing else on the weekend until GP quali. That's worse than having three boring non competitive FP sessions which are meaningless most of the time. Still, as you rightly say, horses for courses haha"

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2. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 10/07/2026 3:56

"@ kenji - Hah, well you like what you like and I wouldn't begrudge one of that. Though I'd hazard a guess you're in a minority section of long time fans who are all in with sprints. I think sprint races works for things like motorcycle racing, with a race averaging around 21 laps adding sprint races to that can fill out a proper race weekend for spectators. In F1? with a massive 24 race schedule, it feels like that seventh trip up to the buffet... too much."

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3. Posted by kenji, 10/07/2026 2:08

"@Celtic T and MaxN....Main course 65laps... Hors D'oeuvres 18laps. One lonely black striped tiger prawn with a taragon flavoured oil and vinegar dressing won't satisfy your hunger unless you're on a strict diet or are gut banded! One mans meat....as the saying goes. It beats the dreary saga of FP sessions."

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4. Posted by BillH, 10/07/2026 1:50

"I was listening to the Apex Hunters podcast which reviewed the British GP and something they discussed was how the sprint was used by the teams to figure out how to use their charging and deployment. After say 10 or 11 laps it was pretty much sorted.
Moving on to the full length GP, the start wasn't as interesting as a result of what was learned in the sprint.
So, in effect, the sprint, takes away a lot at the start of the GP, entertainment wise anyway."

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5. Posted by Max Noble, 09/07/2026 22:00

"@celtic tiger - love it! Stopping for KFC on the way to a Michelin starred restaurant… sums up the money grab…"

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6. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 09/07/2026 19:33

"That's about it, money. Also note that more sprints mean more points on offer which in turn increases the cost of an FIA super license renewal for the year. Cha-ching*

@kenji - I always viewed qualifying as the Hors d'oeuvres of a race weekend. Sprint to me is more like eating dinner before going out to dinner."

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7. Posted by JamesD, 09/07/2026 12:51

"I'm sorry but Formula 1 sprints are poor to say the least. Sprints work brilliantly in Formula 3 & Formula 2 with them being one make series, so much so that I'm enjoying the sprints and feature races more in these than my beloved grand prix Formula 1.

It's all about lining the pockets Stefano and Liberty. Not surprised by Liberty's actions but Domenicali should hang his head in shame."

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8. Posted by kenji, 09/07/2026 11:44

"Sprints are, to me, similar to a tasty 'hors d'oeuvre' prior to the main course. Certainly doesn't detract and a few more on the calendar is gratefully accepted. It's still racing albeit somewhat different in length and tempo. What's not to like?"

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9. Posted by kenji, 09/07/2026 11:18

"That's good news."

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10. Posted by habentsen, 09/07/2026 10:19

"I'm all for more sprints if they bring back refuelling and make the softest tire in the range mandatory as "The Official Sprint Tire".
Heck, dish out 25 points for P1, 12 for P2 and 6 for P3 if they really want to see drivers go flat out....
"

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11. Posted by Burton, 09/07/2026 10:08

"More "races" for me to miss."

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Domenicali hints at more Sprints

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