Aussie GP loses season-launch honour, gains sprint race

Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix won't have the privilege of opening the 2027 Formula One season after regaining the honour this year -- but it will boast two races in its biggest weekend yet.

After landing the chance to open the F1 year in 2026 as it once traditionally did for two decades, the Albert Park money-spinner will be the the third stop on next season's record-equalling 24-race program.

The main race will take place later than usual on 4 April, 2027, with Bahrain replacing Melbourne as the season-opening venue on March 14 and Jeddah hosting the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix the following week.

But the key development will be the introduction of a sprint race on Saturday, on the eve of the grand prix itself.

So, instead of two sessions of practice on the Friday, there'll be just one with sprint race qualifying taking place in the afternoon. On the Saturday, there'll be the double attraction of a sprint race, followed later by qualifying for the main race.

Melbourne will be one of 10 circuits to stage a sprint race in 2027, four more than this year.

F1 bosses clearly believe the 30-minute shorter races on the Saturday are the way forward, with Bahrain set to stage one on the first weekend and even the marquee event in Monaco, somewhat surprisingly considering its reputation for near-impossible overtaking, doing so on June 6.

The Japanese GP at Suzuka on April 11 and the season-finale in Abu Dhabi on December 12 will also host their first sprint races, along with returning venues in Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar.

Formula One said its data showed viewership of sprint weekends was 12% higher than non-sprint weekends, with qualifying three times more popular with fans than free practice.

Portugal (June 20) and Turkey (October 3) are additions to the program, with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort and Barcelona having dropped off.

F1 bosses weren't saying anything about the potential uncertainty of staging four races in the Gulf, but there must remain a question mark while conflict in the region continues.