F1 increases sprint races to 10 for 2027 including Monaco
Formula 1 expanded the roster of sprint races from six to 10 events for the 2027 World Championship across global venues. The sanctioning organization announced the expanded calendar to include new locations on multiple continents.
These shortened race weekends featuring an extra timed shootout will debut at circuits in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi.
Organizers confirmed that Canada, Britain, Italy, Brazil, and Qatar will stage the remaining five short-distance showdowns. The official schedule launch detailed the full slate of 10 sprint destinations.
Previous rules capped sprints at six.
The 2027 campaign opens in Bahrain on 12-14 March, followed by a visit to Saudi Arabia one week afterward. Both opening rounds remain under scrutiny because of ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.
Although Bahrain serves as the regular launch venue, Australia hosted the opening round during the past two years due to the timing of Ramadan.
Formula 1 officials intend to conclude the 2026 championship with consecutive rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, yet leadership is drafting alternative operational contingency plans in case escalating regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran prevents racing from taking place. Emergency meetings continue to evaluate travel safety across the Persian Gulf region.
Similar backup measures will guide the start of the 2027 calendar if Middle Eastern racing remains unviable at the conclusion of this year.
A diplomatic assembly of regional governments issued a joint communiqué urging maximum restraint in the war. The declaration followed rising tensions that threaten international sporting fixtures.
The British Grand Prix runs on 2-4 July, alongside the return of circuits in Portugal and Turkey that previously stepped in during the global pandemic.
Promoters pay premium sanctioning fees for sprint rounds because meaningful track sessions on every day of the gathering stimulate stronger ticket sales. Traditional weekends offer competitive driving exclusively during the final two days.
Silverstone track executives attributed their all-time record crowd to the sprint inclusion, after drawing 64,000 additional spectators across four days compared to the prior non-sprint edition.
Assigning a sprint to Monaco brings immediate skepticism because passing remains virtually impossible along the tight street course. Drivers frequently struggle to execute overtakes through the narrow principality barriers.
Formula 1 promoters counter that the format guarantees two distinct qualifying shootouts, showcasing one of the most thrilling single-lap challenges on the tour.
Staging a pair of timed battles creates chances for two contrasting starting orders across the weekend. Such variation could disrupt established team hierarchies.
Conversely, absent on-track incidents, the finishing positions in Monaco will settle almost entirely by the completion of lap one due to limited passing space.
Formula 1 chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali welcomed the additions of Portugal and Turkey alongside the ten-race sprint expansion. He stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Portugal and Turkey to the championship and to expand sprint racing to 10 events, giving our fans even more intensity, drama, and the wheel-to-wheel action that make our sport so special.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The 2027 FIA F1 World Championship calendar is a strong reflection of the global appeal and continued growth of our sport.”
The FIA leader explained that 24 races across five continents demonstrate the reach of motorsport. Ben Sulayem added: “With 24 grands prix across five continents, the return of Portugal and Turkey, and the opportunity for an expanded sprint programme, the calendar combines tradition, innovation and fan engagement while maintaining the highest sporting standards.”
Official winter testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit on 24-27 February.
Confirmed dates and circuit destinations for the 2027 world championship
The street track in Saudi Arabia stages its round on 19-21 March. It represents the second stop of the world tour.
Teams travel to Hungary for competition running on 30 July-1 August.
Baku hosts the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 24-26 September. High-speed street racing highlights the late-season calendar.
The United States leg in Austin takes place on 22-24 October.
Las Vegas stages its race under the lights on 18-20 November. The Nevada strip layout anchors the closing phase of the year.
Yas Marina hosts the finale in Abu Dhabi on 10-12 December.
Designated rounds on the published schedule feature sprint weekends. Championship documents specify which events include the revised race format.
