World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix in 2027 will present a considerably steeper challenge for drivers, largely because the race weekend will now incorporate the Sprint format for the first time. The 2027 Formula One calendar, unveiled on Wednesday, expands the number of Sprint weekends to ten – an increase of four compared with the current season – and designates the iconic streets of Monte Carlo as one of those Sprint venues.
Monaco’s narrow, winding circuit has long been infamous for its scarcity of overtaking opportunities. While Sprint events have traditionally been held at tracks where passing is more feasible, the principality’s tight layout is arguably the most demanding venue in the sport when it comes to extracting the perfect qualifying lap.
The added pressure of a Sprint race, which condenses qualifying and a short race into a single day, could fundamentally alter how teams and drivers approach the weekend. Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham alongside golfer Justin Rose during a pro‑am session at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the McLaren driver broke down what the new format means for Monaco.
“Interesting,” Norris began. “I guess the main thing is that means you’ve got FP1, then Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the challenge.” He went on to explain that the traditional three‑hour practice sessions, which normally give drivers ample time to find rhythm on the twisty, wall‑lined street circuit, will be reduced dramatically. “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 regulations, drivers enjoy three one‑hour practice sessions spread across Friday and Saturday, allowing them to fine‑tune the car’s setup, gather data, and build confidence before the crucial qualifying laps.
In Monaco, where a single mistake can end a driver’s weekend, that preparation time is vital. With the Sprint format, the entire preparation window collapses into a single 60‑minute session, forcing teams to compress data collection, tyre testing, and aerodynamic adjustments into a fraction of the usual time. Norris elaborated on how this compressed schedule will affect driver behaviour on track.
“That’s more about relying on data from this year,” he said. “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, with limited practice, drivers may be forced to push the car closer to its absolute limits earlier in the weekend, increasing the likelihood of errors. The implication of this shift is twofold. First, it places a premium on the quality of data gathered during the brief practice window. Teams will need to rely heavily on simulation tools, historic telemetry, and real‑time analysis to make rapid setup decisions.
Second, drivers will have to adapt their mental approach, balancing the need for aggression with the ever‑present risk of a costly mistake on the unforgiving barriers that line Monte Carlo’s streets. Norris also highlighted the potential upside for spectators.
“It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching,” he added, suggesting that the heightened uncertainty and the possibility of early‑stage drama could make the Monaco weekend more engaging for a global audience. The 2025 season saw Norris claim victory at Monaco from pole position, a triumph that contributed significantly to his championship campaign.
That experience gives him a unique perspective on how the new Sprint format might reshape the race dynamics. In a traditional weekend, drivers can afford to be more methodical, using the three practice sessions to gradually improve lap times. With the Sprint format, the margin for error shrinks dramatically, and the pressure to deliver a near‑perfect lap in a single session could lead to a more unpredictable qualifying order and, consequently, a more varied grid for the Sprint race.
Beyond the immediate impact on Monaco, the broader expansion of Sprint weekends to ten events across the calendar signals a strategic shift by Formula One’s leadership. The Sprint format was introduced to inject additional excitement into race weekends, offering fans a short, intense race that awards points and provides a different strategic element compared with the traditional Sunday Grand Prix. By extending this format to iconic venues like Monaco, the sport is testing the limits of how adaptable teams and drivers can be under compressed timelines. From a technical standpoint, the reduced practice time will also challenge engineers to develop more versatile car setups that can perform well across a range of conditions without the benefit of extensive on‑track testing.
This could accelerate the adoption of advanced simulation platforms and data‑analytics tools, as teams strive to extract maximum performance from limited real‑world input. In summary, Lando Norris’s comments underscore a fundamental shift in how the Monaco Grand Prix will be contested in 2027. The introduction of the Sprint format compresses the weekend’s schedule, forcing drivers to take greater risks earlier, rely heavily on prior data, and adapt quickly to the unique demands of the street circuit. While this presents a daunting challenge for the competitors, it also promises heightened drama and excitement for fans worldwide, potentially reshaping the perception of one of Formula One’s most storied events.
The upcoming season will reveal whether teams can master this new paradigm and whether the Sprint format can coexist with the tradition and prestige that Monaco embodies.