If you thought the 2025 grid was packed, get ready for more chaos in 2026. With Cadillac joining as the 11th team, Formula 1 expands to 22 cars for the first time since 2016. This shakes up the 2026 F1 Sprint qualifying format, keeping the excitement high while fitting in the extra entries. The core knockout structure stays the same, but eliminations ramp up to handle the bigger field.
How 2026 F1 Sprint Will Change
Sprint weekends have been a fan favourite since their revival, adding Friday drama before the main race. Now, with two more cars, the FIA tweaks the rules to avoid drawn-out sessions. Sprint Qualifying (SQ) still runs in three parts, but six drivers drop out after SQ1 and SQ2 instead of five. This funnels the top 10 into SQ3 for the Sprint pole fight, just like grand prix qualifying.
Here’s how it breaks down for 2026 F1 Sprint Format:
2026 F1 Sprint SQ1 (12 minutes): All 22 cars hit the track on new Medium tyres. The six slowest get eliminated, locking in positions P17 to P22 based on their best SQ1 laps. Sixteen advances.
2026 F1 Sprint SQ2 (10 minutes): Those 16 battle on fresh Mediums again. Another six slowest are out, taking P11 to P16. Ten cars make SQ3.
2026 F1 Sprint SQ3 (8 minutes): The final 10 go wheel-to-wheel on Softs for Sprint grid spots P1 to P10. No banking times from earlier, pure pressure.
This mirrors changes to main qualifying, where Q1 (18 min), Q2 (15 min), and Q3 (12 min) now axe six each in the early stages too. Points stay the same: Sprint winner gets 8, down to 1 for eighth. The extra cars don’t add bonuses beyond the top 10.
Why The Shift?
A 22-car grid demands balance; too many in later sessions would drag on the show. Last time F1 had 11 teams, Manor squeezed in before folding. Now, Cadillac’s arrival revives that era, boosting competition without bloating formats. Teams must nail strategy from the start; no room for slip-ups in SQ1.
2026 F1 Sprint races still promise overtakes and points hauls, especially with 2026’s active aero and sustainable power units shaking things up. Expect rookies from new squads like Cadillac to scrap hard early. Fans get more action, but the top guns fight in tight SQ3 battles.
The calendar kicks off early in Melbourne, ending in Abu Dhabi after 24 grands prix and six Sprints. With Max Verstappen eyeing title defence and McLaren chasing dominance, this format keeps everyone honest. Grid expansion means fiercer fights, pure F1 cinema ahead.
