World champion Lando Norris says the introduction of a Sprint race at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix next season will make the already demanding event even more challenging for drivers. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar, unveiled on Wednesday, adds a total of ten Sprint weekends – four more than the current schedule – and for the first time the Principality’s tight, winding street circuit will host a Sprint weekend. Monaco has long been recognised as a circuit where overtaking is extremely difficult, and traditionally the Sprint format has been employed on tracks that offer more passing opportunities.
However, the Monegasque venue is arguably the toughest test in the sport when it comes to qualifying because the margins for error are razor‑thin and the walls are unforgiving. Norris explained his thoughts during an interview with Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham, conducted alongside golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am at Wentworth. "Interesting," he said, acknowledging the novelty of the situation.
"The main thing is that now you have FP1 and Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the challenge." He went on to point out that, unlike a typical Grand Prix weekend where drivers benefit from three one‑hour practice sessions to find a rhythm on the twisty, wall‑lined circuit, the new format compresses all set‑up work and data gathering 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," Norris added. The reduction in track time means teams and drivers must extract maximum information from a very limited window.
In Monaco, even a small mistake can end a driver’s race instantly, so the pressure to get the car balance, tyre pressures and aerodynamic settings right is immense. Norris highlighted that the reliance on data from the current season will increase dramatically. "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 risk a little bit more earlier," he explained. He elaborated that the early‑stage risk‑taking could create a clearer performance gap between those who can quickly adapt and those who need more time to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
"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," Norris warned. Despite the added difficulty, Norris believes the new format could make the event more exciting for spectators.
"It's more exciting for the fans and the people watching," he said, suggesting that the heightened stakes and the possibility of surprise results could inject fresh energy into a race that is traditionally dominated by a few front‑running teams. Norris’s own history with Monaco adds weight to his comments. He secured victory from pole position at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, a triumph that contributed to his championship-winning campaign.
His experience of extracting the perfect lap on a circuit where a single error can end the race gives him a unique perspective on how the Sprint format might alter the dynamics of the weekend. Looking ahead, the 2027 schedule also features a triple‑header of races in Azerbaijan from September 24‑26, with the Baku Grand Prix moving to a Saturday slot. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with flexible subscription options that allow cancellation at any time. In summary, Norris foresees that the addition of a Sprint race in Monaco will compress practice time, force drivers to take calculated risks earlier in the weekend, and potentially widen the performance gap between the quickest adapters and those who need more time to settle.
While the change presents a formidable challenge, it also promises to deliver heightened drama and entertainment for the global audience, marking a significant evolution in how the sport approaches one of its most storied venues.