Groupe de course Octane has announced that for the 2026 edition, the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA will officially host a Sprint race, a notable evolution of the traditional Grand Prix weekend format.
This dynamic and spectacular format, already in place in six host cities for the 2025 championship – Shanghai, Miami, Spa-Francorchamps, Austin, São Paulo and Lusail – will transform the fan experience and enhance the intensity of the competition. The addition of Montreal to this list as early as 2026 attests to the recognition of the quality of the local organization and the undeniable enthusiasm of the Quebec public.
What is F1 Sprint?
The F1 Sprint is a short, explosive race of around 100 km (about a third of the distance of a Grand Prix), contested on Saturday by all the teams taking part in the Grand Prix. It thus modifies the usual qualifying slot. This format alters the classic structure of a race weekend as follows :
● Friday: practice sessions followed by a Sprint qualifying session
● Saturday: Sprint Race with championship points (8 points for the winner, down to 1 point for 8th place) followed by Grand Prix qualifying.
● Sunday: Regular Grand Prix
This format offers more on-track action from Friday onwards, and adds extra competitive stakes for drivers and teams, while enhancing the experience for both on-site fans and those following the race on television.
Recognition for Montreal
“The arrival of the F1 Sprint in Montreal in 2026 is excellent news for our organization and for Formula 1 fans across the country. It confirms the Canadian Grand Prix’s status as a must-attend, even more exhilarating, and enhances the quality of the experience we offer here at home,” says Sandrine Garneau, Chief Operating Officer, Brands and Strategies, Groupe de course Octane.
Octane Racing Group will work with Formula 1 and its partners to ensure a smooth transition to this enriched format, with the aim of continuing to deliver a world-class experience, while enhancing the value offered to partners, spectators and media. The presence of F1 Academy, the all-female development series, on the Canadian Grand Prix weekend program in 2026, will also enrich the sporting offering and reinforce the commitment to diversity and young talent. Together, these new features will contribute to making the CGV (Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve) one of the best motor racing events in the world.
About Groupe de course Octane
Montreal-based Canadian company Groupe de course Octane is the official promoter of the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA, under an agreement with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the F1 marketing rights holder). In 2021, Bell acquired the activities of Le Groupe de course Octane, which operates as a stand-alone entity within the Bell group of companies.
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