Singapore GP 2026 goes sprint format for first time as race week events take shape

The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix will be the first sprint-format race in the event’s history, with the full weekend running from Friday 9 October to Sunday 11 October at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The change reshapes the on-track schedule significantly, and off-track festivities begin even earlier, with driver appearances across the city from Monday 6 October.

Race weekend schedule (local time)

Because it is a sprint weekend, Friday features only one practice session before sprint qualifying takes over the evening slot. Saturday carries both the sprint race and grand prix qualifying, leaving Sunday for the main event.

• Free Practice 1: Friday 9 October, 4:30pm–5:30pm
• Sprint Qualifying: Friday 9 October, 8:30pm–9:14pm
• Sprint Race: Saturday 10 October, 5:00pm–5:30pm
• Grand Prix Qualifying: Saturday 10 October, 9:00pm–10:00pm
• Drivers’ Parade: Sunday 11 October, 6:00pm–6:30pm
• National Anthem: Sunday 11 October, 7:44pm–7:46pm
• Grand Prix (62 laps, 4.927 km circuit): Sunday 11 October, 8:00pm–10:00pm

Where to meet the drivers

Several drivers are scheduled for public appearances across Orchard Road, Clarke Quay, and Sentosa in the days leading up to the race.

Monday 6 October

Alex Albon appears at the Quadrant pop-up at Bugis+ Atrium Level 2 (201 Victoria Street) from 7:30pm. Ollie Bearman joins a Vetreska Circuit Collection pop-up at ION Orchard from 4pm to 6pm — the Haas driver is the brand’s global partner and will take part in a pet fashion runway alongside a Q&A. Isack Hadjar is scheduled at the Devialet boutique inside the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Tuesday 7 October

Oscar Piastri and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown headline a 75-minute stage conversation at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands; tickets start from S$78. Charles Leclerc visits Puma’s 313@Somerset store before heading to Ray-Ban’s Beyond The Track event at CQ @ Clarke Quay from 5pm. Lando Norris appears at Puma VivoCity (1 HarbourFront Walk), while Fernando Alonso is confirmed for the Breitling x Aston Martin F1 pop-up from 5pm.

Singapore’s organisers are billing this as one of the most fan-focused editions of the race yet, with the sprint format adding an extra competitive session to what has traditionally been one of the calendar’s most atmospheric night races.