World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will present a markedly tougher challenge for Formula 1 drivers, largely because the race weekend will now incorporate the Sprint format. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar, unveiled on Wednesday, features ten Sprint events across the season – an increase of four compared with the current schedule – and for the first time Monaco’s iconic street circuit will be part of this alternative format. Monaco’s narrow, winding layout has never been celebrated for overtaking opportunities; in fact, it is traditionally regarded as the ultimate test of a driver’s qualifying skill.
The addition of a Sprint race, which typically thrives on circuits where overtaking is possible, creates a paradox: a track that already offers limited passing will now have an extra competitive session that places even greater pressure on drivers to extract performance in a compressed timeframe. During an interview with Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham, conducted alongside golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am at Wentworth, Norris broke down what the new schedule means for the teams and drivers.
"Interesting," he began. "I guess the main thing is that means you’ve got FP1, Sprint qualifying on Friday – which is the challenge.
Obviously not a lot happens in a race on Sunday or in the Sprint, but the challenge is just one practice session straight in, which has probably never happened before in Monaco." Under the current format, drivers enjoy three one‑hour practice sessions spread over the weekend, giving them ample time to find a rhythm, fine‑tune the car’s setup and build confidence on a circuit where a single mistake can be catastrophic. In Monaco, where the walls are unforgiving and the margins for error are razor‑thin, teams typically use these sessions to meticulously dial in aerodynamic balance, brake bias and suspension settings. With the Sprint format, that preparation window is dramatically reduced: all the data gathering, set‑up work and driver acclimatization must now be compressed into a single 60‑minute session.
Norris explained how this shift forces drivers to take more risks earlier in the weekend. "That’s more about relying on data from this year. Obviously tougher for us as drivers.
You don’t have as much time to build up to things so you’re probably going to have to try and risk a little bit more earlier, which is normally when you can see a bit more of a difference between people who can get comfy, try things and be at 99 per cent and not go to 103 or 104 per cent because in Monaco when you go to that limit, game over. It's more exciting for the fans and the people watching." The implication is clear: with only a single practice hour, drivers will need to push harder, experiment more aggressively, and accept a higher probability of error in order to extract the performance needed for a competitive Sprint qualifying lap. The usual incremental approach – gradually increasing pace over three sessions while gathering data – will be replaced by a high‑stakes sprint of information gathering. Any misstep, whether a setup error or a driver’s over‑ambitious line through the hairpin, could compromise both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix.
Norris’s comments also highlight a broader strategic element. Teams will likely lean heavily on simulation data and the wealth of telemetry collected from the 2025 and 2026 Monaco events. However, the unique conditions of each year – weather, tyre compounds, and subtle changes to the circuit layout – mean that relying solely on historical data is insufficient. Engineers will need to make rapid decisions, adjusting aerodynamic packages and suspension settings on the fly, while drivers must deliver feedback in real time.
The new format could also affect tyre strategy. In a traditional weekend, drivers have the luxury of testing multiple tyre compounds across three practice sessions, assessing wear rates and grip levels. With only one practice hour, teams will have limited opportunity to evaluate how the soft, medium and hard tyres behave on Monaco’s street surface.
This scarcity of data may lead to more conservative tyre choices for the Sprint, or conversely, a bold gamble to gain an early advantage. From a fan’s perspective, the change promises heightened drama.
The Sprint race, already a short, high‑intensity showdown, will now be preceded by a frantic practice session where drivers are forced to push the limits. Spectators can expect to see more on‑track action, more overtaking attempts in the Sprint, and a potentially unpredictable grid for the main race on Sunday.
Norris himself has a personal connection to Monaco’s demanding circuit. He secured his first Monaco Grand Prix victory from pole position in 2025, a triumph that played a pivotal role in his championship campaign that year.
His experience of mastering the circuit’s nuances gives him a unique insight into how the reduced practice time could impact performance. Looking ahead, the 2027 season’s expanded Sprint calendar signals a strategic shift by Formula 1’s leadership toward more varied race weekend formats. By integrating the Sprint into iconic venues like Monaco, the sport aims to boost viewership, create additional competitive moments, and offer fans more content throughout the weekend.
However, this evolution also places a premium on driver adaptability, engineering ingenuity, and the ability to thrive under compressed timelines. In summary, Norris’s assessment underscores that the combination of Monaco’s unforgiving street layout and the new Sprint schedule will compel drivers to take calculated risks earlier in the weekend, rely heavily on existing data, and adapt quickly to limited practice time.
The result should be a more thrilling spectacle for fans, while presenting a formidable challenge for teams striving to perfect their setups in a dramatically shortened window. The upcoming Monaco Sprint promises to be a defining moment in the 2027 season, testing the limits of driver skill, team strategy, and the sport’s evolving format.