Monaco to host its first sprint race as F1 expands 2027 calendar to 10 sprint weekends

Formula 1 has unveiled its 2027 season calendar, expanding the sprint format from six to ten rounds across a 24-race schedule, with Monaco set to host a sprint race for the first time in the championship’s history.

The season opens on 14 March with the Bahrain Grand Prix — returning to its traditional opener slot — before a double-header with Saudi Arabia. Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix follows as the third round, ahead of Japan and China. F1 then heads to Miami and Montreal in May, with Canada’s 23 May date deliberately avoiding a clash with IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500.

The European leg begins at Monaco on 6 June. Despite the principality’s famously narrow street circuit offering virtually no overtaking opportunities, it will receive a sprint weekend for the first time. F1 is understood to be leaning into Monaco’s qualifying spectacle by scheduling two separate qualifying sessions across Friday and Saturday.

Portugal makes its first calendar appearance since 2021, with the Algarve circuit in Portimao hosting a race on 20 June. Silverstone follows on 4 July for the British Grand Prix, with Austria, Belgium and Hungary completing the first half of the season, the latter on 1 August.

After the summer break, the Italian Grand Prix resumes on 5 September, followed by Madrid. Turkey also returns to the calendar on 3 October as the middle leg of a triple-header with Baku and Singapore — the country’s first appearance since 2021. A second triple-header takes in Austin, Mexico and Brazil, while Las Vegas becomes a standalone race on 20 November. The season closes with a Qatar–Abu Dhabi double-header, both featuring sprint formats.

The ten sprint venues are Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, Canada, Britain, Italy, Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi — with the first four all receiving the format for the first time.

“Due to the continued success and strong demand for the format, the number of Sprint events has increased from six to ten for 2027, delivering even more competitive action across the season for fans, promoters, broadcasters, and partners,” F1 said in a statement.

F1 cited viewership data to justify the expansion, noting that total audiences for sprint weekends run 12% higher than non-sprint rounds, that sprint qualifying attracts up to three times more viewers than free practice sessions, and that 82% of attendees at sprint weekends say the format adds value to their experience.