George Russell would have been crowned sprint champion in 2026, if F1 had awarded such a title, after Lando Norris's last-lap clash with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in Singapore.
While Russell is currently watching his championship title hopes slip away as his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli continues to extend his lead in the standings, the Briton has come out on top in the sprint races.
There is no official sprint championship, but with all six sprints completed, the unofficial results are in.
Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc both scored 34 points across the six sprint races in China, Miami, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands and Singapore. Russell claimed it on countback because he won three of them and Leclerc collected 34 points without a sprint win.
Norris finished one point behind on 33 with his win in Miami. Behind the leading three, Antonelli scored 31 points, Lewis Hamilton 27, Piastri 21 and Max Verstappen 20.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in sprint races from eight points for the winner to one point for eighth place.
As for the main championship, six rounds remain, assuming the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix go ahead as planned. Antonelli currently leads with 340 points. Russell and Hamilton follow in second and third with 238 and 229 points respectively.
Verstappen sits fourth with 221 points and will arrive at the upcoming United States Grand Prix on the back of two consecutive wins at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the Singapore Grand Prix.
Rounding out the top five is Leclerc with 215 points.
2026 Formula 1 sprint race results (Top 8)
Chinese sprint race
George Russell, MercedesCharles Leclerc, FerrariLewis Hamilton, FerrariLando Norris, McLarenKimi Antonelli, MercedesOscar Piastri, McLarenLiam Lawson, Racing BullsOllie Bearman, HaasMiami sprint race
Lando Norris, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenCharles Leclerc, FerrariGeorge Russell, MercedesMax Verstappen, Red BullKimi Antonelli, MercedesLewis Hamilton, FerrariPierre Gasly, AlpineCanadian sprint race
George Russell, MercedesLando Norris, McLarenKimi Antonelli, MercedesOscar Piastri, McLarenCharles Leclerc, FerrariLewis Hamilton, FerrariMax Verstappen, Red BullArvid Lindblad, Racing BullsBritish sprint race
Kimi Antonelli, MercedesLewis Hamilton, FerrariLando Norris, McLarenGeorge Russell, MercedesCharles Leclerc, FerrariMax Verstappen, Red BullOscar Piastri, McLarenLiam Lawson, Racing BullsDutch sprint race
George Russell, MercedesCharles Leclerc, FerrariLando Norris, McLarenKimi Antonelli, MercedesOscar Piastri, McLarenMax Verstappen, Red BullLewis Hamilton, FerrariPierre Gasly, AlpineSingapore sprint race
Max Verstappen, Red BullLewis Hamilton, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariKimi Antonelli, MercedesLiam Lawson, Racing BullsOllie Bearman, HaasNico Hulkenberg, AudiLando Norris, McLaren