World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will present a significantly tougher test for Formula 1 drivers next year, primarily because the race weekend will now incorporate the Sprint format. The 2027 F1 calendar, which was unveiled on Wednesday, expands the number of Sprint events to ten – an increase of four compared with the current season – and designates the iconic street circuit of Monaco as one of the venues to host a Sprint for the first time. Monaco’s narrow, winding layout has long been infamous for its scarcity of overtaking opportunities. Historically, the Sprint format has been deployed on circuits where passing is more feasible, allowing drivers to make up positions in a short, high‑intensity race.
However, Monaco is arguably the most demanding circuit in the sport when it comes to qualifying performance, as the margin for error is razor‑thin and a single mistake can end a driver’s weekend instantly. 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 shared his thoughts on the upcoming change. "Interesting," he said, before outlining the new weekend structure.
"The main thing is that you now have FP1, then Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the challenge." He went on to explain that while the overall race distance on Sunday and the Sprint itself may not seem dramatically different, the real difficulty lies in the fact that drivers will now have only a single one‑hour practice session to acclimatise to the demanding circuit. "Usually we have three one‑hour practice sessions to build rhythm and momentum around this twisty, wall‑lined track," Norris noted. "Mistakes are heavily punished here, so we’ll have to squeeze all set‑up work and on‑track preparation into just 60 minutes." When pressed about how this compressed schedule would affect driver strategy, Norris emphasized the reliance on data from the current season.
"That’s more about relying on data from this year," he said. "Obviously it’s 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 elaborated on the risk factor, describing how the usual progression of a weekend – where drivers gradually find their comfort zone, fine‑tune the car, and then push the limits in the final qualifying session – will be compressed. "Normally you can see a bit more of a difference between people who can get comfortable, try things and be at 99 per cent and not go to 103 or 104 per cent," Norris explained.
"In Monaco, when you push beyond that limit, it’s game over." The young Briton added that the new format could actually make the sport more exciting for spectators. "It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching," he said, highlighting that the increased pressure and the necessity to make bold decisions early in the weekend could lead to more dramatic moments on track.
Norris’s comments carry additional weight because he won the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position in 2025, a triumph that formed part of his title‑winning campaign. His personal experience of mastering the circuit’s unforgiving corners and narrow straights gives him a unique perspective on how the reduced practice time might influence car set‑up, tyre strategy, and driver confidence. The shift to a Sprint weekend in Monaco also aligns with Formula 1’s broader agenda to enhance the spectacle for global audiences.
By adding a shorter, more intense race on Saturday, the series hopes to attract viewers who may find the traditional three‑day format less engaging. The Sprint will award points to the top finishers, meaning that drivers will need to treat it as a genuine competitive session rather than a mere warm‑up. From a technical standpoint, teams will face a steep learning curve.
Engineers will have to extract maximum data from a single practice session, using sophisticated simulation tools and real‑time telemetry to fine‑tune aerodynamics, suspension settings, and power‑unit mapping. The limited track time will also place a premium on driver feedback, with each lap becoming crucial for identifying the optimal balance between downforce and straight‑line speed. Furthermore, the tyre allocation will be impacted.
Under the current regulations, teams receive a set number of tyre compounds for the weekend, and the introduction of a Sprint means that at least one set must be reserved for the shorter race. This could force teams to adopt more conservative tyre strategies during the main Grand Prix, potentially influencing pit‑stop timing and overall race pace. Fans can expect a different rhythm to the Monaco weekend. Instead of the traditional Friday practice, qualifying, and Saturday sprint, the schedule will now feature a single practice session on Friday, followed by a Sprint qualifying session later that day, the Sprint race itself on Saturday, and the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
This compressed timetable will test not only the drivers’ adaptability but also the logistical capabilities of the teams, who must manage car setups, spare parts, and crew rotations within a tighter window. In summary, Lando Norris believes that the addition of the Sprint format to Monaco will raise the stakes for drivers and teams alike. The reduced practice time, heightened need for early risk‑taking, and the ever‑present danger of a mistake on the narrow streets will combine to make the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix a uniquely challenging event.
While the change may pose difficulties, Norris also sees it as an opportunity to deliver a more thrilling spectacle for the global audience, promising a weekend where every lap counts and the margin between success and failure is slimmer than ever before. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which kicks off a triple‑header of races from September 24‑26, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with the Baku race taking place on a Saturday. Viewers can stream Sky Sports through NOW without a long‑term contract and cancel at any time.