World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will pose a significantly tougher test for Formula 1 drivers once the Sprint format is introduced next year. The 2027 calendar, unveiled on Wednesday, features ten Sprint weekends – an increase of four compared with the current season – and for the first time the iconic Principality street circuit will host a Sprint race. While the Sprint format has traditionally been employed on circuits that favour overtaking, Monaco is renowned for its narrow, twisty layout where passing is extremely difficult.
Instead, the real battle at Monaco has always been in qualifying, where drivers must extract the absolute maximum from their cars on a track that punishes even the smallest mistake. Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham alongside golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am at Wentworth, the McLaren driver broke down what the new schedule means for the teams and drivers. “It’s an interesting development,” Norris began. “The biggest change is that you now have a free‑practice session on Friday, followed by Sprint qualifying, and then the main race on Sunday.
That’s a huge shift for Monaco.” Historically, Monaco drivers have been afforded three one‑hour practice sessions spread over the weekend to learn the circuit’s intricate rhythm, test different set‑ups, and fine‑tune their approach to the tight corners and unforgiving walls. Those sessions are vital because any error at Monaco is amplified – a single mis‑judged entry into a corner can end a driver’s weekend.
With the Sprint format, the entire preparation window is compressed into a single 60‑minute practice period before the Sprint qualifying takes place. "You’ve basically lost two full practice sessions," Norris explained.
"Everything – the set‑up work, the tyre evaluation, the driver‑feedback loops – has to be squeezed into that one hour. That’s never happened before at Monaco." Norris highlighted how this reduction in track time will force drivers to rely heavily on data gathered from the current season. “We’ll be looking at the telemetry and performance data we have from this year to guide us,” he said.
“But it also means we have less time to adapt to any changes in the car or the track conditions. The margin for error shrinks dramatically.” The McLaren driver went on to describe the strategic implications of the new format. "Because you have less time on track, you’ll probably have to take more risks earlier in the weekend," Norris noted.
"Normally, drivers can spend a couple of days building confidence, testing different setups, and gradually pushing the car closer to its limits. With only one practice session, you have to make those decisions much faster.
That could lead to a bigger spread between drivers who can quickly find the sweet spot and those who need more time to settle in. In Monaco, once you push beyond the limit, it’s game over – you hit a wall, you lose the race. "That pressure makes the weekend more exciting for the fans," he added.
"There’s more drama when you see drivers trying to extract that extra 1‑2 per cent of performance early on. It’s a gamble, but it could pay off big time if you get it right." Norris’s comments come on the back of his own success at the principality. He captured his first Monaco victory from pole position in 2025, a key moment in his championship‑winning campaign.
That experience gives him a unique perspective on how the Sprint format could reshape the race weekend. "Winning from pole in Monaco is the ultimate test of precision and composure," he said. "If you add a Sprint into the mix, the whole dynamic changes.
You have to be ready to sprint at the end of Friday, then recover and prepare for the Sunday race with far less data. It’s a huge challenge for any driver, let alone a rookie or someone still learning the nuances of the circuit." The introduction of the Sprint race at Monaco also raises questions about the broader impact on the championship. With ten Sprint weekends on the 2027 calendar, points will be available earlier in the weekend, potentially reshuffling the championship standings before the traditional race even takes place. "It adds another layer of strategy for the teams," Norris observed.
"Do you go all‑out in the Sprint to grab those extra points, or do you hold back to preserve the car for the main race? At Monaco, where the car is under constant stress from the tight corners and lack of overtaking opportunities, that decision becomes even more critical." Fans can look forward to a more unpredictable and thrilling Monaco weekend in 2027, with the Sprint format injecting fresh excitement into a race that is already steeped in history and drama. As Norris summed up, "It’s a new challenge for us, but that’s what makes Formula 1 so compelling – the constant evolution and the need to adapt.
The fans will love the added excitement, and the drivers will have to rise to the occasion." The F1 season continues to build momentum, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header from September 24‑26. The Baku race, scheduled for Saturday, will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1 via NOW, offering viewers another chance to see the sport’s top talent in action as the championship heads toward its climax.