Singapore gets its first sprint weekend to close 2026 sprint calendar

The Singapore Grand Prix will host a Formula 1 sprint weekend for the first time on 9-11 October. It is Round 17 of the 2026 season and the sixth and final sprint event of the campaign.

The race takes place at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The 2026 calendar features 24 Grand Prix weekends in total, according to Formula 1, with six of those weekends using the sprint format.

A sprint weekend brings extra competitive action. There is a short sprint race on Saturday that carries its own points, plus two separate qualifying sessions across the weekend. One sets the grid for the sprint. The other sets the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Friday 9 October opens with first practice from 09:30 to 10:30 BST. Sprint qualifying follows later that day from 13:30 to 14:14 BST. It is a sharp, shortened session. Mistakes cost places for Saturday morning.

Saturday 10 October starts with the sprint race from 10:00 to 11:00 BST. Full qualifying for the Grand Prix follows from 14:00 to 15:00 BST. Teams must reset quickly. Set-up changes are limited once the competitive sessions begin.

Sunday's main event runs over 62 laps. It starts at 13:00 BST on 11 October, with build-up from 12:45 BST.

The BBC will provide commentary on 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, according to the BBC. All three days of running are listed on 5 Sports Extra. That covers practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint, qualifying and the race.

Singapore is one of three new sprint venues for 2026. Montreal and Zandvoort are also hosting a sprint weekend for the first time this season, according to Reuters. After Marina Bay, the championship moves on to Austin for the United States Grand Prix on 23-25 October.

For fans, this means no quiet start. Every session from Friday afternoon counts for something.