Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate George Russell have taken opposite stances on the proposal to turn the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix into a Sprint‑format weekend. The governing body of Formula 1 unveiled its 2027 calendar last week, confirming that the number of Sprint events will rise from six to ten. Among the newly added Sprint venues is the iconic Circuit de Monaco, where the format would feature an additional qualifying session on Friday followed by a 100‑kilometre Sprint race on Saturday.
Monaco has long been recognised as one of the most challenging circuits for overtaking, with its narrow streets and tight corners leaving drivers with few opportunities to pass. The sport’s officials argue that a second qualifying session would give the grid an extra chance to showcase "world‑class skill and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo". Hamilton, who is currently focusing on a win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressed his skepticism.
"It makes no sense to me, but I’m not the one making the decisions," he said. He acknowledged that an extra qualifying session could be "quite cool", yet he maintained that Monaco deserves a format that is distinct from the rest of the calendar. "We've already added Sprints, which have injected fresh excitement into the sport, but Monaco needs something different.
It’s a beautiful place, a stunning circuit, yet the race itself can feel a bit dull. I don’t think a Sprint race solves that problem," Hamilton explained. In contrast, Russell offered a more favourable view during the FIA press conference in Baku. He argued that the traditional race weekend has become "long‑winded" and that the addition of Sprints helps to keep the competition lively.
"Driving a Formula 1 car around the track is always fun, but the real thrill comes from the competition and the adrenaline of qualifying. A Sprint Qualifying session is far more exciting than a standard free‑practice session, so overall it makes sense," he said. Max Verstappen, who has previously been a vocal critic of Sprint weekends – famously warning in 2023 that he "won’t be around for too long" if the calendar became overloaded – has softened his tone in recent years.
He told reporters that he has communicated his feelings to F1 chief Stefano Domenicali and that he is indifferent to the location of Sprint events. "Maybe Monaco wanted it, I don’t know. For me, I just race and try to do my best.
I have no emotional attachment to winning a Sprint or not. My focus has always been on the Grand Prix itself," Verstappen said. Sergio Pérez of Red Bull, who learned about the Monaco decision through the drivers’ WhatsApp group, described the news as "a bit busy" but seemed intrigued by the potential variability.
"Monaco has been a Saturday event for a few years now. If they shake things up a little, it could make the weekend more interesting. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how it plays out," he added.
Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, highlighted the importance of fan opinion in shaping the Sprint calendar. "If the fans enjoy it, I’m happy. Some races would make for better Sprint action than others, but that’s not our call," the McLaren driver remarked.
The broader context of the 2027 schedule shows a clear intention by Formula 1 to experiment with race formats and keep the product fresh for audiences worldwide. By expanding Sprint weekends to ten events, the championship hopes to generate more on‑track drama and create additional moments of tension beyond the traditional Sunday race. However, the mixed reactions from top drivers illustrate that the balance between tradition and innovation remains delicate, especially on a circuit as historic as Monaco. Beyond the driver commentary, the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend provides a snapshot of how a typical F1 event is structured.
On Thursday, the schedule includes F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and a team‑boss press conference. Friday sees an F2 Sprint, further practice for the main Grand Prix, and the start of the F2 Feature Race.
Saturday culminates with the F2 Feature Race 2, the build‑up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and the race itself, followed by post‑race analysis. All of these sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and can be streamed via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, the debate over a Monaco Sprint reflects a larger conversation within the sport about how to evolve without eroding the unique character of each venue.
Hamilton argues for a bespoke solution that respects Monaco’s heritage, while Russell sees the Sprint as a natural extension of an already successful format. Verstappen, Pérez, and Norris each add their own perspectives, ranging from indifference to fan‑centric considerations.
As the 2027 calendar rolls out, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see whether the Sprint experiment enhances the allure of the Monte Carlo streets or whether another, more tailored approach will be required to keep the race exciting for drivers and spectators alike.