World champion Lando Norris says the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will present a far steeper challenge for drivers next year because the race weekend will now incorporate the Sprint format. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar, released on Wednesday, expands the number of Sprint events to ten – four more than the current season – and for the first time the iconic Principality street circuit will host a Sprint race.
Monaco’s famously narrow, twisty layout is already notorious for offering very few overtaking opportunities, which is why the Sprint format, typically favoured on circuits that produce more on‑track action, feels like an odd fit. Nevertheless, the sprint adds another layer of difficulty to a venue that is already considered the ultimate test of a driver’s qualifying prowess. 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 broke down what the change means for the teams and the drivers. "Interesting," Norris began.
"The main thing is that you now have FP1 and the Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the real challenge." He went on to explain that while the race itself on Sunday and the Sprint on Saturday may not be dramatically longer than a normal Grand Prix, the real pressure comes from having just a single, one‑hour practice session to dial‑in the car’s setup for a circuit where any mistake is quickly punished. "Usually we get three one‑hour practice sessions to find a rhythm on this twisty wall‑lined track, but now everything has to be crammed into 60 minutes," Norris said. The reduction in track‑time means that engineers and drivers will have to rely heavily on data gathered from the current season and from extensive simulations.
"That’s more about relying on data from this year," Norris added. "Obviously it’s tougher for us as drivers because you don’t have as much time to build up confidence. You’ll probably have to take a bit more risk earlier on, when you can still see a difference between people who are comfortable and those who push a little beyond 100 per cent.
In Monaco, once you hit that limit, it’s game over." Norris highlighted that the compressed schedule could force drivers to push harder in the early laps of the Sprint, potentially creating more excitement for spectators. "You’re 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 or 104 per cent because in Monaco when you go to that limit, game over. It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching," he said. The change also raises strategic questions for teams.
With only one practice session, tyre‑selection decisions, aerodynamic tweaks, and brake balance settings must be nailed down almost instantly. Any error in the setup could compromise both the Sprint and the main race, leaving little room for recovery. Teams will likely lean heavily on sophisticated simulation tools and the wealth of telemetry collected over the previous year to make up for the lost on‑track time.
Norris’s own experience at Monaco adds weight to his comments. He claimed pole position and went on to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 2025, a key victory in his title‑winning campaign. That triumph demonstrated his ability to extract maximum performance from a car on a circuit where the smallest margin separates the front‑row starters from the rest of the field. "Having won there before, I know how unforgiving the track can be," he reflected.
"When you have only a single practice session, the pressure to get everything right the first time is immense." Beyond the technical challenges, the new format could also influence the spectacle for fans. A Sprint race on Saturday means an additional competitive session that will be broadcast live, offering more on‑track drama and potentially altering the championship narrative earlier in the weekend. For a venue like Monaco, where qualifying is traditionally the highlight, the Sprint could provide an extra opportunity for surprise results and strategic gambles.
The broader F1 schedule also shifts with the Sprint addition. The 2027 calendar features a triple‑header weekend in Azerbaijan from September 24‑26, with the Baku race taking place on a Saturday for the first time. This reflects a growing trend toward more flexible race‑weekend structures, aimed at keeping the sport fresh and engaging for a global audience.
In summary, Lando Norris believes that the introduction of a Sprint weekend at Monaco will force drivers to adapt quickly, take calculated risks earlier in the session, and rely heavily on data and simulation. The reduced practice time will make set‑up work more demanding, while the added Sprint race promises heightened excitement for fans. As the sport moves toward a calendar with more Sprint events, Monaco will become a crucial testing ground for how teams and drivers manage limited track time on one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport.