JULY 28, 2025

Zandvoort post may have leaked 2026 sprint venues

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 the Journal de Montreal, said the post quickly disappeared, but it was too late.

If confirmed, it would mark a shake-up 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. Tyre management is out of the window.

(GMM)