Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar has voiced his disapproval regarding the increasing number of Sprint races on the Formula 1 calendar. His comments follow a challenging 2026 Singapore Grand Prix weekend, where technical issues significantly impacted his performance. Hadjar stated that Sprint weekends necessitate drivers to “get lucky” due to limited preparation time.
The Frenchman experienced a difficult event at Marina Bay. He reported excessive bottoming in the sole Free Practice session. This was compounded by power unit failures, leading to a retirement in the Sprint race.
Further technical problems, including a broken fourth gear and engine issues, prevented Hadjar from setting a competitive lap in Grand Prix Qualifying. He subsequently started the main race from the pit lane, ultimately finishing P10.
Hadjar highlighted the format’s impact on car development. He noted that a single practice session before Sprint Qualification and the Sprint race leaves insufficient time for teams to gather data and make necessary adjustments.
“That’s the problem with these weekends where you don’t get to work on the car. Like, it’s impossible. You just kind of need to get lucky. There’s no work.”
The 2026 Formula 1 season features six Sprint events. These are held at Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore.
The Sprint weekend format includes Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying on Friday. The Sprint race and Grand Prix Qualifying then take place on Saturday. The main Grand Prix concludes the weekend on Sunday.
A Sprint race covers approximately 100 kilometres, lasting around 30 minutes. There are no mandatory pit stops, and points are awarded to the top eight finishers.
Formula 1 has confirmed an increase to ten Sprint events for the 2027 season. This expansion was announced on September 16, 2026, following approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
New circuits scheduled to host Sprint events in 2027 include Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi. Hadjar specifically questioned the viability of a Sprint race at Monaco, citing the track’s limited overtaking opportunities.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali maintains that Sprint races enhance entertainment and provide more competitive action. He welcomed the expanded calendar for 2027.
Formula 1 data indicates that total viewership for Sprint weekends is 10% to 12% higher than non-Sprint weekends. Sprint Qualifying sessions are also reportedly up to three times more popular than traditional Free Practice sessions.
Additionally, 82% of attendees at Sprint weekends report that the format adds value to their ticket. This data supports F1’s decision to increase the number of Sprint events.
Isack Hadjar, who joined Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season, has been backed by teammate Max Verstappen as a potential successor. Hadjar’s performance in Singapore, despite the technical setbacks, included a recovery drive to score a point.
