The 2027 Formula 1 schedule has been released, and once again the championship will stretch across a record‑tying 24 race weekends. While the sheer number of events is eye‑catching, the calendar also introduces several notable shifts that will reshape the way the season unfolds. Chief among these is a significant boost in the number of Sprint weekends, highlighted by the surprising addition of Monaco to the Sprint roster. The usual Middle‑East fixtures remain on the docket, and two fan‑favorite circuits are set to make a comeback.
In July, Formula 1 confirmed that the 2027 programme will feature ten Sprint events, up from the six that have been a staple for the past four seasons. This increase adds four extra weekends where the alternative race format will be used.
The Sprint format, first trialled in 2021, consists of a short 100‑kilometre race that follows a dedicated qualifying session on Friday, which determines the grid for the Sprint. The results of the Sprint then set the starting order for the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
Since its introduction, the Sprint has proven popular with viewers, delivering a 12 percent rise in global TV audience figures compared with traditional weekends that include three practice sessions. The ten venues selected for Sprint action in 2027 are split evenly between locations that have already hosted Sprints and those that are new to the format. Returning Sprint hosts include Montreal, Silverstone, Monza, Interlagos and Qatar’s Lusail circuit.
The newcomers are Sakhir (Bahrain), Albert Park (Australia), Suzuka (Japan), Monaco and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. The points system – awarding points to the top eight finishers – is expected to stay unchanged.
Monaco’s inclusion has generated the most discussion. The Principality has never before run a Sprint, and its classic 78‑lap Grand Prix is notorious for being a processional race where overtaking is extremely difficult due to the narrow, twisty layout lined with unforgiving barriers. Historically, the spectacle of Monaco comes from the high‑pressure qualifying sessions, where drivers must thread their cars through the tight streets with surgical precision. By adding a Sprint, Monaco will now host two grid‑determining sessions in a single weekend, amplifying the drama.
Some analysts, such as Sky Sports’ Craig Slater, note that Sprint races have traditionally been placed on circuits where overtaking is more feasible, which is not the case in Monaco. However, Slater also points out that the real benefit lies in the extra qualifying showdown. "Monaco is all about the red‑hot qualifying laps, and now drivers will have that test twice in one weekend," he said.
Another consequence of the Sprint format is the reduction in practice time. In Monaco, the weekend will feature only one practice session instead of the usual three, meaning drivers have less opportunity to find rhythm and confidence on a track where precision is paramount. This limited track time could introduce more unpredictability into the starting grid and, consequently, the race outcome. The 2027 season will also be unique in that it both begins and ends with Sprint weekends.
The opening round in Bahrain will run from March 12‑14, with a Sprint on Friday and the Grand Prix on Sunday. The finale will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 10‑12, again featuring a Sprint. The season‑opening Sprint poses a particular challenge because teams will have only a single practice session to fine‑tune the new 2027 cars before the first competitive session. To mitigate this, the pre‑season test at the same Sakhir circuit will be extended to four days (February 24‑27), giving teams extra track time ahead of the first race weekend.
Having Sprint events bookending the season raises the possibility that the world championship could be decided on a Saturday, as happened in Qatar 2023 when Max Verstappen clinched his third title during the Sprint. With both Qatar and Abu Dhabi hosting back‑to‑back Sprint weekends at the close of the year, the championship battle could intensify dramatically in the final rounds.
All four Middle‑East races – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – remain on the 2027 calendar, framing the 24‑race campaign. However, geopolitical tensions have already impacted the schedule: this year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled, and the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia in October after being originally slated for April at Sakhir. Despite these disruptions, Formula 1 officials intend to keep the 2026 and 2027 Middle‑East rounds on schedule, with a contingency plan that would see Italy’s Imola circuit step in as a replacement if the Gulf events cannot proceed.
The early‑season Middle‑East dates for 2027 are still five months away, giving the sport and the FIA ample time to monitor the situation and make any necessary adjustments. Meanwhile, the overall calendar continues to evolve.
The record‑tying 24‑race format, first reached in 2024, will be retained for 2027. No brand‑new venues are introduced, but the series will return to Portugal’s Portimão circuit and Turkey’s Istanbul Park after they filled in for cancelled events during the COVID‑affected 2020‑21 seasons. Portimão will take over Barcelona’s June slot, while Turkey will reappear in early October as part of a slightly reshuffled post‑summer schedule that will extend the summer break to five weeks in 2027.
These changes also mean that the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix will enter a rotation with the Belgian Grand Prix, returning in 2028, and the Dutch Grand Prix will be dropped after its contract expires. The season will conclude on December 12, a week later than the current year and matching the latest finish date seen since 2020. Notably, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September will be run on a Saturday, adding another variation to the weekend formats.
Overall, the 2027 Formula 1 calendar promises a blend of continuity and innovation. The expanded Sprint program, the historic addition of Monaco, the strategic placement of Middle‑East races, and the re‑introduction of beloved circuits all aim to keep the championship fresh, competitive, and engaging for fans worldwide.