​From Stefano Domenicali hinting that the number of Sprint events on the Formula 1 calendar is set to rise from 2027, to Max Verstappen dropping another subtle clue about his future on social media, here are the biggest Formula 1 stories from Wednesday, July 8. Verstappen appears to have offered yet another hint that his Formula 1 career could extend beyond the end of the 2026 season. The signal comes from a promotional campaign published on his official website and social media accounts, where fans are invited to secure their spots in the Max Verstappen Grandstand at the Red Bull Ring. The promotion encourages supporters to once again join the Orange Army at the Austrian Grand Prix, a trip that has become one of the Dutchman’s most recognizable home-away-from-home events. Although the campaign does not directly address Verstappen’s contract status or his future plans, it is centered on the 2027 edition of the race. While this cannot be treated as definitive proof that he will remain in Formula 1 beyond 2026, it does imply that the four-time world champion expects to stay active in the championship beyond the current cycle. Photo: Race Pictures
Speaking to Sky Sports at Silverstone, Stefano Domenicali indicated that Formula 1 is moving toward increasing the number of Sprint weekends in future seasons, arguing that the format has proven popular with fans and adds more on-track action across a race weekend. He suggested that more specifics will be revealed when the next calendar is officially released, with Sky Sports reporting that the number of Sprint events could rise to nine or ten per season. The calendar currently features six Sprint weekends, with four already completed in China, Miami, Canada, and Great Britain. The remaining two are scheduled to take place later this season in the Netherlands and Singapore. If the total climbs to nine or ten while preserving a 24-round championship, the total number of races, including both Grands Prix and Sprints, could reach as high as 34 in a single season. Photo: Race Pictures
These developments come as a broader discussion about the sport’s structure heats up, balancing fans’ appetite for more action with the logistical and commercial implications of adding sprint formats. Domenicali’s remarks point to a trajectory where Sprint weekends become a more integral and regular fixture on the F1 calendar, potentially reshaping how teams plan their strategies, how broadcasters package race weekends, and how venues prepare for peak crowds. The potential shift to nine or ten Sprint events would mark a significant expansion from the current six, and fans are watching closely for more concrete details as the new schedule unfolds. Photo: Race Pictures