World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will present a considerably steeper challenge for Formula 1 drivers next year, primarily because the race weekend will now incorporate the Sprint format for the first time. The 2027 F1 calendar, which was released on Wednesday, expands the number of Sprint events to ten – four more than the current season – and designates Monaco’s iconic street circuit as one of the new venues to host a Sprint race.
Monaco’s narrow, winding layout has long been notorious for offering very few overtaking opportunities. Historically, the Sprint format has been deployed on circuits where passing is more feasible, but the Principality’s track is arguably the toughest test a driver can face when it comes to extracting the perfect qualifying lap. The combination of a single, high‑stakes sprint and the unforgiving nature of the street circuit means that any mistake can be catastrophic.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham alongside golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am at Wentworth on Wednesday, the McLaren driver explained his thoughts on the change. “Interesting,” Norris began.
“I guess the main thing is that means you’ve got FP1, then Sprint qualifying on Friday – and that’s the real challenge.” He went on to note that, unlike a typical weekend where drivers have three one‑hour practice sessions to acclimatise to the circuit, the new format compresses all essential preparation into a single 60‑minute session. “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,” he added. Under the current schedule, drivers normally enjoy three separate practice periods, each lasting an hour, allowing them to fine‑tune the car’s setup, work out tyre temperatures, and build a rhythm on the twisty, wall‑lined track where errors are heavily punished. With the Sprint format, that luxury disappears.
Teams will have to gather all the data they need, optimise aerodynamics, and perfect brake balance in a dramatically shortened window. This forces both engineers and drivers to make quicker decisions and rely heavily on data collected from the previous year’s sessions. Norris elaborated on the implications of this compressed timetable: “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 and 104 per cent because in Monaco when you go to that limit, game over.” In other words, the reduced practice time may push drivers to push the car closer to its absolute limits earlier in the weekend, increasing the likelihood of errors but also potentially creating more excitement for spectators. He concluded on a positive note for the fan experience: “It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching.” The prospect of a sprint race on the legendary Monte‑Carlo streets could indeed add a fresh layer of drama, as the shorter, high‑intensity format rewards boldness and precision in equal measure. Norris’s comments carry added weight because he himself triumphed at Monaco in 2025, winning from pole position during his title‑winning season. His personal success on the circuit gives him a unique perspective on how a sprint weekend could reshape strategies.
In a typical Grand Prix, drivers have the luxury of testing multiple setups across three practice sessions, gradually honing in on the optimal configuration. With only one practice session, teams will need to prioritize data collection, perhaps focusing on tyre degradation patterns and fuel loads that suit both the sprint and the main race. The shift to a sprint format also raises strategic questions about tyre allocation. Under the current regulations, teams receive a limited number of tyre sets for the entire weekend.
The sprint race will consume a set of tyres, meaning that the remaining allocations must be carefully managed for qualifying, the sprint, and the Sunday race. This adds another layer of complexity, especially on a circuit where tyre wear can be unpredictable due to the constant braking zones and the abrasive nature of the street surface.
Moreover, the psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Drivers are accustomed to using the first practice session to shake off any rust and settle into a rhythm. Removing that buffer could increase pressure on the Friday morning, potentially leading to a more aggressive approach in qualifying and the sprint.
For a driver like Norris, who is known for his composure under pressure, this could be both a challenge and an opportunity to showcase his adaptability. From a broader perspective, the inclusion of Monaco in the sprint calendar reflects Formula 1’s ongoing experiment with race weekend formats aimed at enhancing viewer engagement.
While some purists argue that the traditional three‑day format preserves the sport’s heritage, others welcome the novelty and the chance for fans to witness more on‑track action. The Monaco sprint could become a showcase event, blending the glamour of the principality with the intensity of a short‑distance race. In summary, Lando Norris believes that the introduction of a Sprint race at Monaco will fundamentally alter the way teams approach the weekend, demanding quicker data analysis, more daring driving early on, and a heightened focus on tyre strategy.
The condensed schedule eliminates the luxury of multiple practice sessions, forcing drivers to adapt rapidly and potentially increasing the likelihood of on‑track incidents. While this adds risk for the competitors, Norris anticipates that it will make the event more thrilling for the global audience, delivering a fresh narrative to one of Formula 1’s most storied venues. The upcoming Monaco Sprint promises to test the limits of driver skill, engineering ingenuity, and strategic foresight, marking a significant evolution in how the sport’s most iconic street race is contested.