World champion Lando Norris has warned that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will present a significantly tougher test for Formula 1 drivers next year, largely because the race weekend will now feature the Sprint format for the first time. The 2027 calendar, which was released on Wednesday, expands the Sprint programme to ten events – four more than the current season – and slots Monaco’s iconic street circuit into that list, marking a historic change for the principality’s race weekend structure. Monaco’s narrow, winding streets have long been notorious for offering almost no overtaking opportunities, a characteristic that traditionally made the Sprint format – which thrives on short, action‑packed races – seem out of place.
Yet the qualifying session on a street circuit like Monaco has always been the ultimate challenge for drivers, demanding absolute precision and flawless car set‑up. By compressing the schedule, the Sprint weekend will test drivers in a new way, forcing them to adapt quickly with far less track time. Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Natalie Pinkham alongside golfer Justin Rose during a pro‑am event at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the McLaren driver broke down what the new format means for the teams and the competitors. "Interesting," Norris began, noting that the revised agenda essentially eliminates one of the traditional free‑practice sessions.
"You now have FP1 and the Sprint qualifying on Friday – that’s the real challenge." He went on to explain that while the Sunday race itself will still be the main event, the limited on‑track time on Saturday will dramatically reshape how drivers approach the weekend. "Usually we have three one‑hour practice sessions to get a feel for the circuit, to build rhythm and confidence," Norris said.
"Monaco is a place where a single mistake can end your race, so we normally use every minute to fine‑tune the car. With only sixty minutes left, everything – from set‑up to tyre strategy – has to be compressed into a single session." The shift to a Sprint weekend also means that drivers will need to rely heavily on data gathered from the current season.
"That’s more about using the data we have from this year," Norris explained. "It’s definitely tougher for us as drivers because we don’t have as much time to develop the car on track." He highlighted the strategic implications of the new format, pointing out that the reduced practice time could force drivers to take more risks earlier in the weekend.
"You’re probably going to have to try and risk a little bit more early on, which is normally when you can see a bigger spread between people who are comfortable and those who are pushing the limits," Norris said. "In Monaco, once you push beyond the 100 percent mark, it’s game over. The margin for error is razor‑thin." Despite the added pressure, Norris believes the change could make the event more exciting for fans.
"It’s more exciting for the spectators and the people watching," he added, suggesting that the heightened uncertainty and the need for bold decisions could produce more drama on the narrow streets. Norris’s own history with Monaco adds an extra layer of intrigue.
He secured a dominant victory from pole position in the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, a win that helped cement his title‑winning campaign that year. His experience of triumph on the demanding circuit gives him a unique perspective on how the Sprint format might alter the dynamics of the race.
The broader F1 schedule also features a triple‑header weekend in late September, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix taking place on a Saturday as part of a three‑race swing from September 24‑26. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing option. In summary, the introduction of a Sprint weekend at Monaco is set to reshape the traditional rhythm of the race weekend. Drivers will have to adapt to a single, condensed practice session, rely heavily on existing data, and possibly take calculated risks earlier than usual.
While the change adds a layer of difficulty for the competitors, it also promises a more thrilling spectacle for the audience, potentially redefining how the sport approaches one of its most iconic venues.