Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have taken opposite stances on the proposal to turn the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix into a Sprint‑format weekend. The debate surfaced after Formula 1 unveiled its 2027 calendar, which includes a jump from six to ten Sprint events. Under the new plan, Monaco would host an additional qualifying session on Friday followed by a 100‑kilometre Sprint race on Saturday, before the traditional Grand Prix on Sunday.
Monaco is renowned for its tight, twisty streets where overtaking is notoriously difficult. F1 officials argue that the extra qualifying session offers drivers a fresh platform to demonstrate their precision and skill on the narrow Monte Carlo circuit.
The governing body described the change as an "opportunity for the drivers to showcase world‑class talent and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo." Hamilton, who is focused on a potential win at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressed skepticism. "It makes no sense to me, but I'm not the one making the decisions," he said. He acknowledged the appeal of an extra qualifying session, calling it "quite cool," but stressed that Monaco deserves a format that reflects its unique character. "I've always said Monaco needs something different.
I don’t think it should be the same race formula that’s everywhere else. It needs to be something distinct," Hamilton added. He praised the Sprint concept for injecting novelty into the sport, yet argued that a Sprint race would not solve Monaco’s issues. "We've already added Sprints, which have really brought something new to the sport.
But we have to come up with something else for a place like that because it's a beautiful location, a stunning country, an incredible circuit to drive, yet the race can feel as dull as it gets. I don’t know what the answer is, but a Sprint race isn’t it," Hamilton concluded. In contrast, Russell, speaking at the FIA press conference in Baku, defended the Sprint expansion.
"I personally think it's good because we've had Sprints for quite a while, normal race weekends feel quite long‑winded and we all want to fight," he said. He highlighted the excitement that a high‑stakes qualifying session can generate, noting that the adrenaline rush of fighting for grid positions is a core part of the sport's appeal. "The enjoyment comes from the competition and that adrenaline you get from a qualifying session.
Of course the race might not be the most thrilling, but that will be compensated by a more exciting Friday. Sprint qualifying is way more exciting than FP2, so I think on the whole it makes sense," Russell explained. Max Verstappen, who has previously criticized the proliferation of Sprint weekends, has softened his tone in recent years. In 2023 he warned that adding too many Sprints could shorten his career, but he now says his feelings are clear to F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
"Maybe Monaco wanted it [the Sprint], I don’t know. For me, I honestly don’t care where the Sprints are.
I participate, and of course you try to do the best you can. I have no emotion attached to winning a Sprint race or not winning it. My focus has always been, since I was a kid, looking forward to the Grand Prix," Verstappen remarked. Sergio Pérez of Cadillac discovered the Monaco Sprint news via the drivers' WhatsApp group and described the announcement as "a bit busy." He suggested that the weekend could become more varied, noting that recent years have seen Monaco essentially reduced to a Saturday event.
"Whatever happened on Saturday was basically done," Pérez said. "I think now it can mix things around a little bit more. It’s going to be an interesting weekend, and I’m definitely looking forward to it." McLaren’s Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, believes fans should have a voice in deciding where Sprint races are held. "If the fans have a better time then I’m happy," Norris said.
He added that the sport could have selected more suitable venues for Sprint events, but ultimately the decision lies with the organizers, not the drivers. The broader context of the discussion includes the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will be the 15th round of the 2026 season.
The race weekend features a packed schedule: F2 practice sessions on Thursday, F2 Sprint on Friday, and the main Grand Prix on Saturday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and streaming via NOW. The inclusion of Sprint races across the calendar reflects Formula 1’s ongoing experiment to boost on‑track action and viewer engagement, but Monaco’s unique heritage continues to spark debate among the sport’s elite.
In summary, Hamilton argues that Monaco’s historic street circuit deserves a bespoke format beyond the standard Sprint model, while Russell sees the additional qualifying and Sprint race as a way to inject excitement into an otherwise lengthy weekend. Verstappen, Pérez, and Norris each add their perspectives, highlighting the balance between driver preferences, fan experience, and the commercial goals of the sport. As the 2027 calendar rolls out, the Monaco Sprint question remains unresolved, embodying the larger conversation about how Formula 1 will evolve while honoring its most iconic venues.