How does a sprint race in Formula 1 work?

For the first time ever, FIA introduced the sprint race which added to some Grands Prix starting 2021 Formula 1 season onwards. A sprint race will take place on Saturday to determine grid positions for Sunday's main race. For 2021 season, sprint races took place at British (July 16-18), Italian (September 10-12) and Sao Paolo (TBA) Grands Prix. Sprint races also used in other FIA events like Formula 2, Formula 3 and A1 Series also to determine grid for the next day's feature race.

- How does a sprint race work in Formula 1?

Qualifying for these sprint races would take place on Friday afternoon in place of the normal second practice session and the races will be run over the least number of laps to exceed 100 km (62 mi), approximately one third of a normal race distance. The result of the sprint race will determine the starting grid for the main race. Three points will be awarded to the winner of the sprint race, two points to the runner-up and one point to the third-placed finisher. If the trial is successful it is proposed that sprint races will be introduced across a wider number of events for the 2022 season. The British Grand Prix timetable for 16–18 July revealed that there would be no running for Formula One cars until 14:30 local time on Friday with the normal Qualifying starting at 18:00. Normally, the second Practice Session would have been at around 14:00, with no running in the evening. A second practice session is due to start at 12:00 on Saturday, before the Sprint Qualifying at 16:30. The main race is due to start at 15:00 on Sunday. At events with Sprint Qualifying the parc ferme will be brought forward to Friday after normal Qualifying which will see drivers only allowed to use the softest avaliable tyre with the usual requirement for the top 10 to start on the tyres they used for their best lap in Q2 removed for events including Sprint Qualifying in their schedule. There is also no requirement to make a pit stop during Sprint Qualifying. All 20 drivers at events where Sprint Qualifying takes place will be given free tyre choice ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix. Teams will be given a $500,000 overall grant by the FIA to cover the cost of the scheduled three sprint races.

Source:

- https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.everything-you-need-to-know-about-f1s-new-sprint-qualifying-format-including.1Lawf6r6Ab0y8ha0satSjx.html