Why Monaco's hosting a Sprint? F1 2027 calendar talking points

Assessing the increase in Sprint races for the 2027 Formula 1 season, including Monaco, plus other changes to the sport's racing schedule; watch every session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from September 24-26 with a Saturday race, live on Sky Sports F1

Formula 1’s 2027 calendar is out with next season again scheduled to run to a record-equalling 24 race weekends.

But the schedule features a number of points of intrigue including an increase in Sprints, headlined by the addition of Monaco, the continued presence of the sport's usual Middle Eastern rounds, and the return of two popular tracks...

As reported in July , Formula 1 is increasing the number of Sprint weekends on the calendar for 2027.

The final number of Sprints has been confirmed as 10, four more than the six which have featured in each of the past four seasons.

The alternative format, which was first introduced in 2021 and features an additional qualifying session to set the grid for a short-form 100km race, has led to increase in global television audiences, which F1 says are 12 per cent higher than on non-Sprint weekends which feature three practice sessions.

Friday Practice Sprint Qualifying Saturday Sprint Grand Prix Qualifying Sunday Grand Prix

The 10 venues for 2027 are split evenly between tracks that have staged Sprints previously - Montreal, Silverstone, Monza, Interlagos and Qatar's Lusail - and newcomers to the format in Sakhir, Albert Park, Suzuka, Monaco and Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit.

The current Sprint format, which features points for the top-eight finishers, is thought set to remain the same for 2027.

Certainly, many of the early headlines and debate around the 2027 calendar has centred on the fact Monaco has unexpectedly been included as one the 10 Sprint venues.

Not only has the Principality never hosted a Sprint before, its main 78-lap Grand Prix is already not known for overtaking around its narrow, twisty wall-lined circuit with the race often proving processional in dry conditions.

It is regularly Qualifying - and the flat-out challenge of threading an F1 car between the barriers - that proves the most jaw-dropping aspect of the Monaco weekend. F1 has pointed out that the addition of the Sprint means there will now be two such grid-setting sessions in 2027

It can also be argued that having only one practice session, rather than the usual three, offers the chance for more unpredictability in the pecking order given drivers will only have one practice session to build rhythm and confidence, a crucial element of a successful Monaco weekend.

"Traditionally Sprints have been held at tracks where it is easy to overtake. Clearly that's not the case at Monaco," said Sky Sports' Craig Slater.