Monaco to become one of a record 10 F1 sprint weekends in 2027… See details

 

Formula 1 has confirmed a major change for the 2027 season, with the iconic Monaco Grand Prix set to host its first-ever Sprint weekend as part of a record 10 Sprint events across the championship. �

FIA +1

The announcement came as the FIA and Formula 1 officially unveiled the 2027 calendar, which will feature 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries. The season is scheduled to begin in Bahrain on March 12–14 and conclude in Abu Dhabi on December 10–12. �

FIA

But it is Monaco’s inclusion in the Sprint format that has immediately caught attention.

The legendary Monte Carlo circuit is famous for its narrow streets, unforgiving barriers and notoriously limited overtaking opportunities. That makes the decision to introduce a Sprint there particularly intriguing, because the format is normally associated with circuits where drivers have more opportunities to fight for position. �

Sky Sports

For the first time, Monaco will therefore feature two qualifying sessions during the same weekend. Friday will include practice and Sprint Qualifying, Saturday will feature the Sprint followed by Grand Prix Qualifying, while the traditional Monaco Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. �

Sky Sports

That could dramatically increase the pressure on drivers.

At Monaco, qualifying has traditionally been one of the most important sessions of the entire weekend because overtaking during the Grand Prix can be extremely difficult. With another competitive qualifying session and a Sprint added to the schedule, mistakes could become even more costly.

The 2027 Sprint expansion represents an increase from six Sprint weekends to 10, with Formula 1 pointing to the popularity of the format as a major reason for the change. According to F1, Sprint weekends have generated higher television audiences than conventional weekends since the format was introduced in 2021. �

Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website +1

Monaco is not the only new Sprint venue.

Bahrain, Australia, Japan and Abu Dhabi will also host Sprint events for the first time, while Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar will retain Sprint weekends. �

Formula 1

The calendar also brings other significant changes. Portugal returns to the championship at Portimão, while Turkey returns at Istanbul Park. Meanwhile, Zandvoort and Barcelona will not feature on the 2027 schedule. �

Sky Sports +1

For teams and drivers, the increased number of Sprint weekends means more opportunities to score points but also more competitive sessions in which errors can have immediate consequences.

The Monaco weekend, however, could become one of the most closely watched experiments of the new era.

Formula 1 is effectively taking its most famous street circuit and adding another race to an already intense weekend. Whether that produces more on-track battles or simply places even greater emphasis on qualifying remains something fans will discover when the championship reaches Monte Carlo on June 4–6, 2027. �

Formula 1

One thing is already certain: **Monaco is entering a new chapter, and the 2027 Sprint could completely change the character of its famous F1 weekend.**