Method 1 has introduced the British Grand Prix will return as a Dash weekend host in 2026, with three different venues staging the choice format for the primary time.
China and Miami stay as Dash venues from 2025 calendar, however the Canada, Nice Britain, the Netherlands and Singapore be a part of the schedule for 2026.
It’s the greatest shake up in Dash places since F1 doubled the variety of Dash weekends from three to 6 in 2023.
Silverstone held the primary F1 Dash weekend in 2021 however has caught with the standard format within the final 4 seasons.
The Canadian Grand Prix, which has moved to an earlier Might date, will makes its Dash weekend debut, as will the Netherlands within the closing operating of that occasion earlier than it drops off the calendar after 2026, and Singapore will stage the ultimate Dash of the season in October.
Unusually, there will probably be no Dash weekends within the closing six rounds of the 2026 season as america, Sao Paulo and Qatar races will return to the standard F1 format after they stage Sprints later this 12 months.
F1 has not introduced any adjustments to the Dash format, which it says has led to “strong fan attendances and viewership figures across broadcast, digital and social platforms” with a ten per cent common enhance for TV viewership final 12 months in comparison with conventional weekends.
“The F1 Sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021, providing extra competitive action for all our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters with four competitive sessions rather the conventional two during a Grand Prix weekend,” stated F1 president Stefano Domenicali.
“With the 2026 season set to be highly anticipated as we welcome a new era of regulations, having three new Sprint venues will only add to the drama on track. I want to thank the FIA, all the promoters, our partners, marshals, volunteers, and local sporting clubs for continuing to make the Sprint a big success and we all look forward to giving our fans more action and excitement in the 2026 season.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “As we look ahead to a landmark 2026 season featuring a new generation of cars and regulations, I’m pleased to see the Sprint evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the sport.
“The inclusion of latest venues alongside returning favourites displays the continued enthusiasm from promoters, groups and followers alike. We’ll proceed to work intently with FOM, the groups, our officers, and the drivers to make sure the Dash format enhances the championship.”
How does F1’s Dash format work?
As has been the case since 2024, the race weekend begins with a single follow session on Friday afternoon earlier than Dash Qualifying later that day.
Saturday will then start with the 100km Dash contest, with full Qualifying to observe later within the day, setting the grid for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The format sees vehicles go into parc ferme, which implies no important adjustments could be made to the automobile, when the primary aggressive session, Dash Qualifying, begins, however they may then be launched from the restrictions after Saturday’s Dash.
Groups could have the prospect to make use of the information they’ve gained to change setups forward of full Qualifying on Saturday afternoon, initially of which they may as soon as extra be locked in for Sunday’s race.
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