World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix in 2027 will pose a significantly tougher test for drivers than the traditional race, primarily because the event will incorporate the Sprint format for the first time. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar, which was released on Wednesday, features ten Sprint weekends – an increase of four compared with the current season – and Monaco’s iconic street circuit has been earmarked as one of the new venues to host a Sprint race. Monaco’s narrow, winding streets are already infamous for making overtaking extremely difficult. Historically, the Sprint format has been deployed on circuits where passing is more feasible, allowing drivers to gain an extra competitive edge over a short, intense race.
In contrast, Monaco is widely regarded as the ultimate qualifying challenge in Formula 1, where a single mistake can end a driver’s weekend. By introducing a Sprint race into this environment, the organizers are effectively adding a new layer of complexity that will test drivers’ adaptability, strategy, and composure under pressure. Norris discussed the implications of the change during an interview with Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham, which took place alongside golfer Justin Rose at the BMW PGA Championship Pro‑Am at Wentworth. The McLaren driver described the new schedule as "interesting" and highlighted the shift in the traditional weekend structure.
"The main thing is that now you have FP1, then Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the challenge," he explained. "Usually, you have three one‑hour practice sessions spread over the weekend to get a feel for the circuit, but now you’re forced to compress all that preparation into a single hour." In a typical Monaco weekend, drivers benefit from three separate practice sessions, each lasting an hour, which allow them to gradually build rhythm, fine‑tune car setup, and gather data on a circuit where the slightest error can be catastrophic.
The new format eliminates two of those sessions, leaving only a solitary practice period before the Sprint qualifying. This forces teams and drivers to extract maximum information in a very limited time frame, increasing the importance of simulation work, previous year’s data, and rapid decision‑making. Norris elaborated on how this compressed schedule will affect driver behaviour on track.
"It’s more about relying on data from this year," he said, acknowledging that the reduced track time means drivers will have to lean heavily on the telemetry and experience gathered in previous seasons. "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 take a bit more risk earlier. That’s when you can see a bigger difference between drivers who can get comfortable, experiment, and operate at 99 percent versus those who push to 103 or 104 percent.
In Monaco, when you push to that limit, it’s game over." The McLaren star continued, "It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching." By forcing drivers to make bold moves earlier in the weekend, the Sprint format could generate more on‑track action and strategic intrigue, offering spectators a fresh spectacle in a venue that is otherwise known for its procession‑like races. Norris’s comments are particularly poignant given his personal history with the Principality. He secured his first Monaco victory from pole position in 2025, a key highlight of his title‑winning campaign that year.
That triumph demonstrated his ability to master the circuit’s demanding demands, and his perspective now carries the weight of experience. The shift to a Saturday race weekend for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will be part of a triple‑header from September 24‑26, also underscores Formula 1’s willingness to experiment with scheduling and format changes. The Baku race will be run on a Saturday, further illustrating the sport’s flexible approach to delivering excitement to fans worldwide.
Viewers can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with the option to cancel at any time. In summary, the introduction of the Sprint format to Monaco is set to reshape the traditional weekend rhythm, compressing practice, qualifying, and race action into a tighter timeframe. Drivers will need to adapt quickly, relying on past data and taking calculated risks earlier than usual. For fans, the change promises a more dynamic and unpredictable spectacle on one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.
Norris’s insights suggest that while the new format will test drivers’ limits, it will also enhance the entertainment value of the race, making Monaco’s 2027 edition a potentially historic moment in Formula 1 history.